IgA: Difference between revisions
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<StructureSection load='1iga' size='450' side='right' scene='' caption=''> | |||
== Introduction to IgA == | == Introduction to IgA == | ||
The most extensive surface in contact with the external environment is not our skin, but the epithelial lining of our gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urogenital tracts <ref name="seven">PMID:17428798</ref>. As a first line of defense in maintenance the integrity our mucosa, the immune system manufactures and secretes dimeric IgA to neutralize pathogenic organisms <ref name="five">PMID:15111057</ref> and exclude the entry of commensals at the mucosal border <ref name="nineseven">PMID:19079336</ref>. In the serum, IgA functions as a second line of defense against pathogens that may breech the epithelial boundary <ref name="five" />. The body produces more IgA than any other antibody isotype <ref name="nineseven"/>. In fact, IgA is the most abundant antibody in the body, further illustrating IgA's critical role in immunity <ref name="ten">PMID:10064707</ref>. | The most extensive surface in contact with the external environment is not our skin, but the epithelial lining of our gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urogenital tracts <ref name="seven">PMID:17428798</ref>. As a first line of defense in maintenance the integrity our mucosa, the immune system manufactures and secretes dimeric IgA to neutralize pathogenic organisms <ref name="five">PMID:15111057</ref> and exclude the entry of commensals at the mucosal border <ref name="nineseven">PMID:19079336</ref>. In the serum, IgA functions as a second line of defense against pathogens that may breech the epithelial boundary <ref name="five" />. The body produces more IgA than any other antibody isotype <ref name="nineseven"/>. In fact, IgA is the most abundant antibody in the body, further illustrating IgA's critical role in immunity <ref name="ten">PMID:10064707</ref>. | ||
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'''Overall Structure''' | '''Overall Structure''' | ||
:An antibody is a tetramer of <scene name='Rebecca_Martin/Sandbox1/Iga1_light_chains/2'>2 light chains</scene> and <scene name='Rebecca_Martin/Sandbox1/Iga1_heavy_chains/1'>2 heavy chains</scene>. In other words, the antibody is a <scene name='Rebecca_Martin/Sandbox1/Iga1_no_spin/1'>homodimer</scene> of 2 heterodimers. Each <scene name='Rebecca_Martin/Sandbox1/Iga1_homodimer/1'>heterodimer</scene> is comprised on one light chain and one heavy chain. Heavy and light chains are held together with disulfide bonds and noncovalent interactions. | :An antibody is a tetramer of <scene name='Rebecca_Martin/Sandbox1/Iga1_light_chains/2'>2 light chains</scene> and <scene name='Rebecca_Martin/Sandbox1/Iga1_heavy_chains/1'>2 heavy chains</scene>. In other words, the antibody is a <scene name='Rebecca_Martin/Sandbox1/Iga1_no_spin/1'>homodimer</scene> of 2 heterodimers. Each <scene name='Rebecca_Martin/Sandbox1/Iga1_homodimer/1'>heterodimer</scene> is comprised on one light chain and one heavy chain. Heavy and light chains are held together with disulfide bonds and noncovalent interactions. | ||