ABSTRACT
Emil von Behring, the father of immunology, and Shibasaburo Kitasato, discovered a compound in blood that neutralized diphtheria toxin, which was later on termed as Antikörper or antibodies. Antibodies were observed to show toxin specificity, that is, the ability to distinguish between two immune components. Innate immunity and adaptive immunity are the two types of human immune responses. Adaptive or humoral immunity shows immune response against foreign materials and pathogens via cell-mediated and antibody-mediated response mechanisms. This chapter will investigate antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins, are glycoproteins produced by B-lymphocytes in response to antigens and foreign body particles (e.g., virus, bacteria, endoparasite, drugs, dust, and pollen grains). During adaptive immunity response, antigen-specific B-lymphocyte recognizes antigens with the help of antibody (B-cell receptor), which are activated with the assistance of helper T-lymphocytes (Th cell). The Th cells, in turn, are activated by antigen-presenting cells (APC) displaying a processed form of antigens. Antibody cells and cell receptors will also be discussed.
