Each of us has a team of protectors that work to locate and attack foreign proteins, or invaders. This team is made up of antibodies that defend us against any pathogen that doesn’t belong in the body. It’s a remarkable network of binding proteins that help us to fight disease.
What are antibodies, and what do antibodies do?
Antibodies are a family of proteins that recognize and bind to foreign invaders (or antigens) that can make us sick, like viruses, fungi, bacteria and parasites. Also called immunoglobulins or Ig’s, they work to block the invader’s entry into our cells and neutralize infections.
The body produces antibodies from B cells as a natural immune response. When B cells identify antigens, antibodies are formed and latch to them, triggering the immune system to produce even more antibodies. These protective proteins will then destroy and eliminate the invaders, which is all part of our adaptive immune system.
Antibodies are evidence of our immune systems’ ability to evolve and mobilize in response to microbes, toxins and allergens.
Different types of antibodies
Antibodies are all Y-shaped proteins that bind to antigens, but there are different antibody variations that have varying shapes and roles in the immune system. The different types of antibodies include the following:
- IgM: These are the first antibodies produced when invaders are detected. They sit on the surface of B-cells that bind to antigens and hang around until other types of antibodies are made to finish the work.
- IgG: These antibodies come after IgM’s and circulate our blood to fight infections.
- IgA: These protectors bind to antigens before they cause infections by circulating our sweat, tears and saliva.
- IgD: These antibodies account for less than 1 percent of our immunoglobulins, but they help to trigger the production other antibodies.
- IgE: These antibodies are triggered by allergens, like proteins found in pollen in foods that cause allergy symptoms, like peanuts.
Each type of antibody plays an important role in our adaptive immune response to invading pathogens and they are specialized to execute specific functions. (2)
How long do antibodies last?
A major part of the immune system is its ability to remember invaders and provide long-term protection against infection. Once antibodies are made, our memory cells remember specific antigens that will set off another cycle of antibody production if they’re detected again. It’s because of memory cells that antibodies continue to provide protection, sometimes for a lifetime.
That being said, there are some microbes that are able to fool antibodies by changing their shape and producing new variants. This tricks the immune system and memory cells don’t spot the newly shaped antigens.
The life of an antibody varies tremendously. Some last a few months, others last a lifetime. Measles antibodies, for instance, will usually provide immunity for life, while flu antibodies may only last one season since the virus changes its genes year to year. The immune system doesn’t recognize the newest version of the virus, so the protection isn’t there. For any microbe that doesn’t mutate rapidly, the immune system is typically very strong.
How to develop antibodies
When our B-cells recognize an antigen, they make antibodies to prevent infection. This is a natural occurrence that’s in place so that the body can defend itself. Once antibodies are produced, they bind to invaders and destroy them. Then our memory cells repopulate antibodies if those same invaders appear again.
There are also monoclonal antibodies that have become the basis of some modern medicines. Monoclonal antibodies are created by researchers who isolate the most effective antibodies from cells and then mass produce them as a form of treatment for infections and disease. These antibodies protect the cells until the body can form a long-lasting response to the antigens.
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