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Primary Lymphoid Organs to Lymph Node Structural Diagram7Topics
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Introduction to Lymphatic Drainage to Lymph Node Palpability and Right Lymphatic Duct6Topics
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Spleen Structure Overview to Thymus-Related Conditions6Topics
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Components and Mechanism of Immunity to Understanding Immune Privilege4Topics
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MHC I and II: Introduction and Loci to DQ8, DR3, DR49Topics
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Functions of Natural Killer Cells to Major Functions of T Cells3Topics
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T Cell Development: Bone Marrow & Thymus to Regulatory T Cells and Autoimmunity6Topics
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T-cell Activation: Antigen Presentation to B-cell Activation: Co-stimulation, Class Switching, and Maturation4Topics
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Antibody Structure and Function to Antibody Diversity and Specificity4Topics
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Introduction to Immunoglobulin Isotypes to Thymus-Dependent Antigens7Topics
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Introduction to Complement System to Convergence and MAC Formation9Topics
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Early Complement Deficiencies to PNH: Hemolysis & Thrombosis4Topics
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Interleukin-1: Macrophage Secretion and Acute Response to IL-10 and IL-13: Immune Regulation and IgE Production7Topics
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Respiratory Burst Introduction to Interferons Clinical Use & Side Effects5Topics
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T Cell Surface Proteins to Examples of Passive and Active Immunity4Topics
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Live Attenuated Vaccines: Description to mRNA Vaccine8Topics
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Overview of Hypersensitivity Types to Type II: Cellular Dysfunction & Clinical Examples6Topics
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Type III Hypersensitivity: Mechanism & Examples to Type IV Hypersensitivity: Examples & Tests5Topics
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Allergic and Anaphylactic Transfusion Reactions to Delayed Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction5Topics
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Autoantibodies in Neuromuscular and Systemic Diseases to Autoantibodies in Metabolic, Hematologic, and Renal Disorders5Topics
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Bruton's Agammaglobulinemia to Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidiasis7Topics
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Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) to Chronic Granulomatous Disease7Topics
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Intro to Immunodeficiency & T-Cell Bacterial Infections to Parasitic Infections & Key Deficiency Note5Topics
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Hyperacute Transplant Rejection to Histology of Transplant Rejection5Topics
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Immunosuppressants: Definition and Risks to Sirolimus & Basiliximab: Clinical Aspects5Topics
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Azathioprine to Immunotherapy: Interleukin-2 and Interferons6Topics
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TNF-α Inhibitors: Adalimumab & Infliximab to Omalizumab & Palivizumab: Allergic & Viral7Topics
Antibody Structure and Function to Antibody Diversity and Specificity
Content August 26, 2025
Antibody structure and function
Fab fragment consisting of light (L) and heavy (H) chains recognizes antigens. Fc region of IgM and IgG fixes complement. Heavy chain contributes to Fc and Fab regions. Light chain contributes only to Fab region.
#boundingbox
C=Constant, V=Variable, L=Light, H=Heavy, SS=Disulfide bond
Fab.
- Fragment, antigen binding
- Determines idiotype: unique antigen-binding pocket, only 1 antigenic specificity expressed per B cell
Fc (5 C’s):
- Constant
- Carboxy terminal
- Complement binding
- Carbohydrate side chains
- Confers (determines) isotype (IgM, IgD, etc)
#boundingbox
Neutralization: Antibody prevents bacterial adherence
Opsonization: Antibody promotes phagocytosis
Complement activation: Antibody activates complement, enhancing opsonization and lysis
Generation of antibody diversity (antigen independent)
- Random recombination of VJ (light-chain) or V(D)J (heavy-chain) genes by RAG1 and RAG2
- Random addition of nucleotides to DNA during recombination by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)
- Random combination of heavy chains with light chains
Generation of antibody specificity (antigen dependent)
- Somatic hypermutation and affinity maturation (variable region)
- Isotype switching (constant region)
Topics Covered:
- Antibody Structure and Function
- Fab and Fc Region Characteristics
- Key Antibody Functions
- Antibody Diversity and Specificity
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