The Role of Immunoglobulins

1 IMMUNOGLOBULINS Abstract The presence of immune entities in the body provides one with protection against potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Quite a number of studies have been carried out over the years to determine the principal role played by immunoglobulins, as well as their main mode of action.

Te ability of immunoglobulins to protect the body against pathogens is derived from their capacity to identify and react with specific foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses. From these studies, it has been established that immunoglobulins have counteracted possible deaths of millions of people throughout the world since the inception of life.

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2 Introduction Presence of a strong immunity is the main reason why the bodies of many people are protected against pathogenic microorganisms. Research concerning the role of immunity in the human body started with the Greek historian, Thucydides who observed that individuals who survived from infectious epidemic disease – Plague, had immunity against the subsequent attacks (Cunha 2004). This observation was also done by 10th century Chinese physicians who dried smallpox scabs to a powder and blew it into the nose of an unaffected individual in order to protect the individual from the disease (Thein et al., 1988). Immunoglobulins are believed to be the main immune entities in the body. The five types of immunoglobulins in the body are IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM. Whereas IgA is responsible for local immunity, IgD assists in anchoring cell membranes. IgE deals with the protection of mucous membranes against infection. IgG protects the body against invasion by pathogenic microorganisms. The antibodies, known as immunoglobulins (IgG), are glycoproteins, which are made up by the combination of globular protein and sugar (Marieb 2010). Production of these molecules occurs in the plasma cells, primarily the B-lymphocytes, in response to an invasion by foreign bodies (Porter 1999). The role of IgM is clumping of microorganisms for purposes of easier elimination.

Aim This article, through qualitative analysis of various sources including published works and article journals, is going to explore the role that immunoglobulins IgG and IgM have in protecting the body, and what factors might influence their dysfunction.

The Role of Immunoglobulins The name immunoglobulin G (IgG) is derived from the capacity of these molecules to migrate with globular proteins whenever they are placed in an electric field with anti-body

3 containing serum. IgG have also been shown to have the capacity to identify and react with specific foreign substances, such as bacteria and virus, thereby acting as guards to protect the body (Chiras 2002). The human body immunoglobulin composition is approximated to contain 75% IgG. Research has revealed that IgG is the only class of immunoglobulin that has the capacity to cross the placenta. IgG immunoglobulins helps protect newborns within the first few months of life. IgG is highly competent since it has the capacity to carry out the functions of the other immunoglobulins. Besides clumping pathogenic microorganisms together, IgG is believed to be an effective poisoning agent. IgGs have been extensively used in research due to their relative abundance, together with high specificity toward microorganisms. IgG, as a result of its small size, is capable of leaving the circulation and infiltrating into the tissues where its defense role is highly needed. IgG has also been shown to have a high capacity to neutralize viruses. The other class immunoglobulin that protects the body against invasion by microorganisms is IgE. This class of IgE is mainly found in the mucous membrane, the skin and the blood stream. IgE is the antibody class that sets off allergic reactions. The activity if IgE is believed to increase during a parasitic infection.

Immunoglobulins usually bind to particular antigens. The ability of antibodies to bind antigens, an aspect that results in immunity of the host, is believed to be the main function of antibodies. There are two physical forms of antibodies: The membrane bound form also referred to as B-cell receptor, and the soluble form (Pyne 2002). Memory B-cells are considered the most essential immune elements in the body since they have the capacity not only to survive a variety of pathogenic attacks, but also to remember an antigen that caused infections, thereby initiating a faster and effective response upon exposure in the future (Acton 2011). Immunoglobulins have been shown to play a critical role not only in the prevention, but also in the treatment of various

4 diseases. Most of the studies carried out on the subject of immunoglobulins have proved that these biological elements are safe (Shier, Butler & Lewis 2011).

There are a numerous factors that determine the distribution of diseases in a population.

One of these is the presence of a carrier, whereby an individual may be harboring pathogenic microorganisms for a certain disease without being affected (Pyne 2002; Marieb 2010). The possibility of such a person spreading the pathogen to those he or she may come across is extremely high. Carriers may knowingly or unknowingly spread pathogens to other people.

Failure to control the spread of certain microorganisms may also lead to an increase in the number of people affected by the microorganism in question (Acton 2011).

The reaction of the immune system with pathogenic agents may result in the cure or death of an organism. For instance, there are pathogenic agents that are stronger than the human immune system. These antigens may destroy, deactivate or kill the human immune elements. As a result, the immune system becomes weak and loses its capacity to fight even the slightest infections (Stevens, Lowe & Scott 2008). Healthcare professionals usually prescribe drugs for people whose immunity has been weakened by an infection. The chemical structure of drugs differs from one drug to the other, an aspect that increases their selectivity of the biological structures with which they interact. Drugs act in a manner similar to antibodies; they bind to cells receptors with high specificity. Some drugs act as false substrates for specific transport systems.

Stevens, Lowe and Scott (2008) assert that even though drugs are usually administered in order to boost the immunity of an individual, sometimes they may result in adverse effects.

These are negative effects that occur in the body following administration of a normal drug dosage. These responses are unpredictable and differ from drug to drug, as well as from individual to individual. Some of the factors that may contribute to adverse drug interactions are

5 prolonged drug use and combination of certain drugs. Side effects, on the other hand, are the anticipated negative consequences of taking a particular drug. Even though a wide range of side effects are insignificant, some of them can even lead to death. For instance, some drugs might lead to simple dryness of the mouth, whereas others may cause severe internal bleeding (Stevens, Lowe & Scott 2008).

Research has revealed that a disruption of the normal form and function of cells together with various immune entities may lead to systematic disorders. These are diseases that affect more than one organ in the body. Some of the main causes of systematic disorders are bacteremia and autoimmunity (Kumar & Clark 2006). Therapy for systematic disorders is considered long-term and usually focuses on the control of symptoms, as well as prevention of secondary complications. Some systemic disorders such lesions and inflammation require not only long-term treatment, but also a change of lifestyle for successful healing. Preventative measures should also be taken to ensure that adverse effects are minimized (Stevens, Lowe & Scott 2008).

Scientists have made it clear that if the human body does not learn how to deal with a certain infection, it is highly likely to die. They have also pointed out that the entire human population can be wiped by particular bacteria if people have ineffective immunity (Kumar & Clark 2006). Immunosuppressants, organ transplant, antibiotics, and blood transfusions are among the main treatment modalities of systemic disorders.

Conclusion It can, therefore, be concluded that the presence of immune entities in the body provides one with protection against potentially pathogenic microorganisms. The role of protecting the body against pathogenic antigens is carried out by immunoglobulins. These are immunity

6 elements produced by B-lymphocytes, in response to an invasion by foreign bodies.

Immunoglobulins, for instance, have been shown to play a critical role not only in the prevention, but also in the treatment of various diseases. The immune system of an individual can be boosted using drugs. However, even though drugs are administered for potentially beneficial purposes, sometimes they may result in adverse effects. These responses are unpredictable and differ from drug to drug, as well as from individual to individual and usually occur as a result of prolonged drug use and combination of certain drugs. Disruption of the normal form and function of cells together with various immune entities may lead to systematic disorders. These disorders may turn out lethal if the body dos not develop effective counteractive mechanisms.

7 Reference List Acton, Q. A. (2011) Intravenous immunoglobulins: New insights for the healthcare professional: 2011. ScholarlyEditions, Atlanta, GA. Chiras, D. D. (2002) Human biology: Health, homeostasis, and the environment, 4th ed, Jones and Bartlett Publishes International, London.

Cunha, B. A. (2004) ‘The cause of the plague of Athens: plague, typhoid, typhus, smallpox, or measles?’ Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America, vol. 18, pp. 29-43.

Marieb, N. M. (2010) Essential of human anatomy and physiology, 10th ed, Pearson Education, Inc., San Francisco, CA. Kumar, P. J. and Clark, M. L (2006) Acute clinical medicine. Elsevier Health Sciences, New York, NY. Porter, R. (1999) The greatest benefit to mankind: A medical history of humanity. W. W. Norton Limited, New York, NY. Shier, D., Butler, J. and Lewis, R. (2011) Hole's essentials of human anatomy & physiology.

McGraw-Hill Companies, Mahwah, NJ. Pyne, D. (2002) ‘The therapeutic uses of intravenous immunoglobulins in autoimmune rheumatic diseases’, Rheumatology, vol. 41 no. 4 pp. 367-374.

Stevens, A., Lowe, J. S. and Scott, I. (2008) Core pathology. Elsevier Health Sciences, New York, NY. Thein, M., et al. (1988) ‘The smallpox story: from variolation to victory. Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health, vol 2 no. 3 pp. 203-210.