 Immunity – capacity of body to resist against

pathogenic foreign particles.

 Antigen – A substance capable of eliciting the
synthesis of specific antibody.
 Antibody – substance produced in response
to Ag,
 Primary: When the body encounters Ag for
the first time. Predominant Ig – IgM.
 Ab production – takes time. Shorter duration.
 Secondary: When the body encounters same
Ag for the second time. Ab production –
faster. Stronger and of longer duration.
 IgG – predominant.
 Memory cell stores information of the Ag
when it encounters for the first time.
 Cell mediated immunity – Mediated by T
lymphocytes. Directly attacks antigens.
 Humoral immunity – B lymphocytes.
 B cells – plasma cells & memory cells.
 Plasma cells – produces Abs.
 Memory cell – stores information about
particular Ags.
 Associated with γ-globulin fraction
(antibodies).
 But Some separate along with β and α.
 γ-globulin & Ig are not synonymous.
 Ig-functional term.
 γ-globulin physical term.
 20% of plasma proteins.
 Produced by plasma cells (B-lymphocytes).
 Glycoprotein.
 Y shaped molecule.
 2 identical Light chains (25,000) & 2 identical
heavy chains (53,000 to 70,000) linked by
disulfide bonds & non covalent interactions.
 Light chain – either κ or λ but not both.
 Light chain – 1 variable (VL) (NH2 terminal) & 1
constant region (CL) (COOH terminal).
 Heavy chain – 1 variable region (1/4th NH2
terminal) & 3 constant regions (CH-1, CH-2 &
CH-3).
 VL & VH - specificity of binding with Ag.
 Proteolytic cleavage of Ig : Papain

Papain enzyme split the Ig at the site

Between CH1 and CH2 region
(hinge region)into two fragments.

 Fab
◦ Ag binding
◦ Specificty determined by
VH and VL

 Fc
Fc

Fab
 Pepsin

Another proteolytic
enzyme, pepsin cleaves
Ig at another site to
yield F(ab)2

Fc Peptides

F(ab)2
 Igs – 5 types based on heavy chains.
 Ig G - Gamma
 Ig A - Alpha
 Ig M - Micro
 Ig E – Epsilon
 Ig D – Delta.
 Monomer.
 2 Ag binding sites.
 70% of Igs.
 Only Ig that can cross the placental barrier -
protect fetus.
 Produced mainly in the secondary response.
 Provides defense against bacteria & viruses.
 Rh iso immunisation :
 This occurs when mother is Rh negative and fetus is Rh
positive.
 During parturition, fetal RBCs may enter into maternal
circulation , leading to formation of anti-Rh antibodies.
During next pregnancy, these Ab being IgG in class, can
enter into fetal circulation causing fetal hemolysis,
neonatal jaundice and in severe cases, neonatal death or
miscarrige.
 Anti-Rh Ab injected within 24 hrs of delivery of first
child , will avert the isoimmunization and protect future
pregnancy.
 Exists as Monomer or Dimer.
 Dimer – Two monomers joined together by J-
chain.
 Found in body secretions – colostrum, saliva,
respiratory, intestinal and genital secretions.
 Prevents attachment of bacteria and viruses
to mucous surfaces. Protects the access of
foreign substances to circulation.
 Pentamer joined by disulfide brides.
 Forms a ring closed by J chain.
 First Ab produced in response to Ag (bacteria
or virus).
 Cannot traverse blood vessels.
 Monomer.
 Low conc in circulation.
 Function-not known.
 B cell receptor (may).
 Monomer
 Present in trace amounts but in allergic
activity – greatly increased.
 Tightly binds with mast cells which releases
histamine.
 Participates in defense against parasites
(helminths)
 Multiple myeloma: Plasma cell caner.
 Abnormality: Malignancy in single clone of
plasma cells (bone marrow)
 Produces high conc of abnormal Igs –
depressed immunity.
 Mainly IgG (75%) or IgA (25%)
 Electrophoretic pattern: Sharp distinct M band
between β & γ fractions.
 γ band faint.
 Multiple myeloma – excess monoclonal light
chains than heavy chains (Bence Jones Proteins).
 BJP have a molecular weight of 20,000 or 40,000
 Light chains (low mol.wt) – blood stream –
passes through glomerular membrane –
appears in urine (bence jones proteins).
 20% of patients with MM,BJP are excreted in
urine which often damages the renal tubules.
 Precipitate on heating urine (45 -600).
Redissolve on heating urine above 800.
 Specific test to detect BJP:

 Electrophoresis

Classical heat test

BJP have the special property of precipitation when
heated b/w 40-50˚C and redissolve on futrher
heating urine at higher than 80 ˚C. They reappear
again on cooling the urine.

 Bradshaw’s test
if BJP are present, white ring of precipitate will occur
if conc HCL is added to urine .
 Hyper gammaglobulinemia
 Chronic infections. Tuberculosis, syphilis,
malaria, etc.,
 Auto immune disorders – Rheumatoid
arthritis, glomerulonephritis.
 Mutiple myeloma.
 Hypo gammaglobulinemia: congenital or
acquired. Nephrotic syndrome.
 Congenital - x linked disorder (bruton’s
disease)
 Secondary – myeloma, leukemia or drug
induced.