Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is an antibody isotype. It is a protein complex composed of four peptide chains—two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains arranged in a Y-shape typical of antibody monomers. Each IgG has two antigen binding sites. Representing approximately 75% of serum immunoglobulins in humans, IgG is the most abundant antibody isotype found in the circulation.[1] IgG molecules are synthesized and secreted by plasma B cells.
Contents
- 1 Functions
- 2 Structure
- 3 Subclasses
- 4 Use as diagnostic
- 5 Use in therapy
- 6 See also
- 7 References
- 8 External links
Functions[edit]
Antibodies are major components of the immune system. IgG is the main antibody isotype found in blood and extracellular fluid allowing it to control infection of body tissues. By binding many kinds of pathogens—representing viruses, bacteria, and fungi—IgG protects the body from infection. It does this via several immune mechanisms: IgG-mediated binding of pathogens causes their immobilization and binding together via agglutination; IgG coating of pathogen surfaces (known as opsonization) allows their recognition and ingestion by phagocytic immune cells; IgG activates the classical pathway of the complement system, a cascade of immune protein production that results in pathogen elimination; IgG also binds and neutralizes toxins. IgG also plays an important role in antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and intracellular antibody-mediated proteolysis, in which it binds to TRIM21 (the receptor with greatest affinity to IgG in humans) in order to direct marked virions to the proteasome in the cytosol.[2] IgG is also associated with Type II and Type III Hypersensitivity.
IgG antibodies are generated following class switching and maturation of the antibody response and thus participate predominantly in the secondary immune response.[3] IgG is secreted as a monomer that is small in size allowing it to easily perfuse tissues. It is the only isotype that has receptors to facilitate passage through the human placenta, thereby providing protection to the fetus in utero. Along with IgA secreted in the breast milk, residual IgG absorbed through the placenta provides the neonate with humoral immunity before its own immune system develops. Colostrum contains a high percentage of IgG, especially bovine colostrum. In individuals with prior immunity to a pathogen, IgG appears about 24–48 hours after antigenic stimulation.
Structure[edit]
IgG antibodies are large molecules of about 150 kDa composed of four peptide chains. It contains two identical class γ heavy chains of about 50 kDa and two identical light chains of about 25 kDa, thus a tetrameric quaternary structure. The two heavy chains are linked to each other and to a light chain each by disulfide bonds. The resulting tetramer has two identical halves, which together form the Y-like shape. Each end of the fork contains an identical antigen binding site. The Fc regions of IgGs bear a highly conserved N-glycosylation site. The N-glycans attached to this site are predominantly core-fucosylated diantennary structures of the complex type. In addition, small amounts of these N-glycans also bear bisecting GlcNAc and α-2,6-linked sialic acid residues.[4]
Subclasses[edit]
There are four IgG subclasses (IgG1, 2, 3, and 4) in humans, named in order of their abundance in serum (IgG1 being the most abundant).
| Name |
Percent |
Crosses placenta easily |
Complement activator |
Binds to Fc receptor on phagocytic cells |
| IgG1 |
66% |
yes (1.47)† |
second-highest |
high affinity |
| IgG2 |
23% |
no (0.8)† |
third-highest |
extremely low affinity |
| IgG3 |
7% |
yes (1.17)† |
highest |
high affinity |
| IgG4 |
4% |
yes (1.15)† |
no |
intermediate affinity |
| †: Quota cord/maternity concentrations blood. Based on data from a Japanese study on 228 mothers.[5] |
Note: IgG affinity to Fc receptors on phagocytic cells is specific to individual species from which the antibody comes as well as the class. The structure of the hinge regions (region 6 in the diagram) contributes to the unique biological properties of each of the four IgG classes. Even though there is about 95% similarity between their Fc regions, the structure of the hinge regions is relatively different.
Given the opposing properties of the IgG subclasses (fixing and failing to fix complement; binding and failing to bind FcR), and the fact that the immune response to most antigens includes a mix of all four subclasses, it has been difficult to understand how IgG subclasses can work together to provide protective immunity. Recently the Temporal Model of human IgE and IgG function was proposed.[6] This model suggests that IgG3 (and IgE) appear early in a response. The IgG3, though of relatively low affinity, allows IgG-mediated defences to join IgM-mediated defences in clearing foreign antigens. Subsequently, higher affinity IgG1 and IgG2 are produced. The relative balance of these subclasses, in any immune complexes that form, helps determine the strength of the inflammatory processes that follow. Finally, if antigen persists, high affinity IgG4 is produced, which dampens down inflammation by helping to curtail FcR-mediated processes.
The relative ability of different IgG subclasses to fix complement may explain why some anti-donor antibody responses do harm a graft after organ transplantation.[7]
In a mouse model of autoantibody mediated anemia using IgG isotype switch variants of an anti erythrocytes autoantibody, it was found that mouse IgG2a was superior to IgG1 in activating complement. Moreover, it was found that the IgG2a isotype was able to interact very efficiently with FcgammaR. As a result, 20 times higher doses of IgG1, in relationship to IgG2a autoantibodies, were required to induce autoantibody mediated pathology.[8] It is important to remember that mouse IgG1 and human IgG1 are not necessarily similar in function, and the inference of human antibody function from mouse studies must be done with great care. Nevertheless it remains true that both human and mouse antibodies have different abilities to fix complement and to bind to Fc receptors.
Use as diagnostic[edit]
The measurement of immunoglobulin G can be a diagnostic tool for certain conditions[which?] if indicated by certain symptoms.[9] Clinically, measured IgG antibody levels are generally considered to be indicative of an individual's immune status to particular pathogens. A common example of this practice are titers drawn to demonstrate serologic immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), hepatitis B virus, and varicella (chickenpox), among others.[10]
Testing of IgG is not indicated for diagnosis of allergy.[11][12]
Use in therapy[edit]
IgG antibodies are extracted from donated blood plasma and used as a therapeutic known as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). This is used to treat immune deficiencies, autoimmune disorders and infections.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Junqueira, Luiz C.; Jose Carneiro (2003). Basic Histology. McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-8385-0590-2. [page needed]
- ^ Mallery DL, McEwan WA, Bidgood SR, Towers GJ, Johnson CM, James LC (2010). "Antibodies mediate intracellular immunity through tripartite motif-containing 21 (TRIM21)". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 107 (46): 19985–19990. doi:10.1073/pnas.1014074107. PMC 2993423. PMID 21045130.
- ^ Meulenbroek AJ, Zeijlemaker WP (1996). Human IgG Subclasses: useful diagnostic markers for immunocompetence (PDF). SanquinLaboratory for Experimental and Clinical Immunology University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. p. 7. ISBN 90-5267-011-0. Retrieved 26 February 2014. "Antibodies of the IgG class are predominantly active during a secondary antibody response. Thus, the appearance of specific IgG antibodies generally corresponds with the 'maturation' of the antibody response, which is switched on upon repeated contact with an antigen."
- ^ Stadlmann J, Pabst M, Kolarich D, Kunert R, Altmann F. (2008). "Analysis of immunoglobulin glycosylation by LC-ESI-MS of glycopeptides and oligosaccharides". Proteomics 8 (14): 2858–2871. doi:10.1002/pmic.200700968. PMID 18655055.
- ^ Hashira S, Okitsu-Negishi S, Yoshino K (August 2000). "Placental transfer of IgG subclasses in a Japanese population". Pediatr Int 42 (4): 337–42. doi:10.1046/j.1442-200x.2000.01245.x. PMID 10986861.
- ^ Collins, Andrew M.; Katherine J.L. Jackson (2013-08-09). "A temporal model of human IgE and IgG antibody function". Frontiers in Immunology 4: 235. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2013.00235.
- ^ Gao, ZH; McAlister, VC; Wright Jr., JR; McAlister, CC; Peltekian, K; MacDonald, AS (2004). "Immunoglobulin-G subclass antidonor reactivity in transplant recipients". Liver Transplantation 10 (8): 1055–1059. doi:10.1002/lt.20154. PMID 15390333.
- ^ Azeredo da Silveira S, Kikuchi S, Fossati-Jimack L, Moll T, Saito T, Verbeek JS, Botto M, Walport MJ, Carroll M, Izui S (2002-03-18). "Complement activation selectively potentiates the pathogenicity of the IgG2b and IgG3 isotypes of a high affinity anti-erythrocyte autoantibody". J Exp Med 195 (6): 665–72. PMC 2193744. PMID 11901193.
- ^ Lakos G, Soós L, Fekete A, Szabó Z, Zeher M, Horváth IF, Dankó K, Kapitány A, Gyetvai A, Szegedi G, Szekanecz Z (2008 Mar-Apr). "Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody isotypes in rheumatoid arthritis: association with disease duration, rheumatoid factor production and the presence of shared epitope". Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 26 (2): 253–60. PMID 18565246.
- ^ "For physicians and hospitals". Quest Diagnostics.
- ^ American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. "Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question". Choosing Wisely: an initiative of the ABIM Foundation (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology). Retrieved August 14, 2012.
- ^ Cox, L.; Williams, B.; Sicherer, S.; Oppenheimer, J.; Sher, L.; Hamilton, R.; Golden, D. (2008). "Pearls and pitfalls of allergy diagnostic testing: Report from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology/American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Specific IgE Test Task Force". Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology 101 (6): 580–592. doi:10.1016/S1081-1206(10)60220-7. PMID 19119701. edit
External links[edit]
- Janeway Immunobiology - The structure of a typical antibody (IgG)
- A booklet with everything you wanted to know about IgG subclasses
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