IgA: Difference between revisions
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{{STRUCTURE_1iga| PDB=1iga | SIZE=400| SCENE= |right|CAPTION=Human calcineurin subunit β (yellow and green) and calmodulin-dependent calcineurin subunit α (grey and pink) complex with polypeptide (magenta), phosphate, Ca+2 (green), Fe +3 and Zn+2 (grey) ions, [[1iga]] }} | |||
<StructureSection load='1iga' size='450' side='right' scene='' caption=''> | <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>. | ||