Monoclonal Antibodies

Monoclonal Antibodies: Structures and Characteristics

B cells are lymphocytes that play a large role in the humoral immune response. The human body makes millions of different types of B cells each day, and each type has a unique receptor protein on its membrane that will bind to only one particular antigen.

			Antibodies(Part 1)

		Introduction

	Antibodies are an assemblage of proteins. They are produced by the immune system in response to foreign substances that may be a threat to the body -- such as chemicals, viruses, spores, or bacterial toxins. These foreign substances are called antigens. Each type of antibody is unique and defends the body against one specific type of antigen. Antibodies also alert other defensive mechanisms available within the immune system. This module will introduce the basic definition and structure of antibodies.

		Definition

	Immunoglobulins are glycoproteins in the immunoglobulin superfamily that function as antibodies. The terms antibody and immunoglobulin are often used interchangeably. They are found in blood and tissue fluids, as well as many secretions. They are synthesized and secreted by B cells of the immune system. Antibodies consist of four long chains of amino acids folded over on themselves. Useful links- Protein Data Bank
Copyright © 2005 Mariya Pachman, Kristina Wittstrom

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