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Immunoglobulin M (IgM) is the largest of several isotypes of antibodies (also known as immunoglobulin) that are produced by vertebrates.IgM is the first antibody to appear in the response to initial exposure to an antigen; [1] [2] causing it to also be called an acute phase antibody.
IgM is first expressed as a monomer on the surface of immature B cells. Upon antigenic stimulation, IgM+ B cells secrete pentameric IgM antibody formed by five Ig monomers which are linked via disulfide bonds. The pentamer also contains a polypeptide J-chain, which links two of the monomers and facilitates secretion at mucosal surfaces.
Each antibody binds to a specific antigen in a highly specific interaction analogous to a lock and key.. An antibody (Ab) or immunoglobulin (Ig) is a large, Y-shaped protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily which is used by the immune system to identify and neutralize antigens such as bacteria and viruses, including those that cause disease.
A pentamer is an entity composed of five subunits. In chemistry, it applies to molecules made of five monomers . In biochemistry, it applies to macromolecules, particularly pentameric proteins , made of five protein sub-units.
This list of over 500 monoclonal antibodies includes approved and investigational drugs as well as drugs that have been withdrawn from market; consequently, the column Use does not necessarily indicate clinical usage. See the list of FDA-approved therapeutic monoclonal antibodies in the monoclonal antibody therapy page.
Antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT) involves the application of cancer-associated monoclonal antibodies that are linked to a drug-activating enzyme. Systemic administration of a non-toxic agent results in the antibody's conversion to a toxic drug, resulting in a cytotoxic effect that can be targeted at malignant cells.
Like other bispecific antibodies, and unlike ordinary monoclonal antibodies, BiTEs form a link between T cells and tumor cells. This causes T cells to exert cytotoxic activity on tumor cells by producing proteins like perforin and granzymes , independently of the presence of MHC I or co-stimulatory molecules.
The resulting antibodies are designated IgW (also called IgX or IgNARC) and IgNAR (immunoglobulin new antigen receptor). [ 13 ] [ 14 ] The latter type is a heavy-chain antibody , an antibody lacking light chains, and can be used to produce single-domain antibodies , which are essentially the variable domain (V NAR ) of an IgNAR.