Abstract
The cells of the blood, and their supporting fluid are among the most extensively studied biological systems. It is with the fluid portion of the blood that this article is concerned and with a small group of proteins in particular, the immunoglobulins. These show a peculiar and unique behaviour in the presence of other substances called antigens. This behaviour may take the form of combination forming an insoluble precipitate (precipitin reaction), or rendering it more easily phagocytosed by the microphages or macrophages (opsonisation). Other reactions between antibody globulin and antigen are complement fixation in which the four components of complement take part, immune adherence between antigen and adsorbed antibody, and sensitivity reactions such as passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and the Prausnitz-Kustner reaction. However, the central feature of immune reactions is that antibody by definition can only be identified by its reaction with antigen. Identifiable antibody forms only a small part of the total globulin fraction of serum. The remaining globulin may be physically indistinguishable from antibody, but lacks its demonstrably specific activity; this has resulted in the term “Immunoglobulin” being substituted for “antibody” in this article whenever this sense is intended. The greatest barrier to the understanding of the nature of immunoglobulins is the classification used to describe them.
Highlights
TO PARTI — S T RU CT U RET h e cells of the blood, and their supporting fluid are am ong the m ost extensively studied biological systems
T his behaviour may take the form of com bination forming an insoluble precipitate, or rendering it m ore phagocytosed by the microphages or macrophages
T he remaining globulin may be physically indistinguishable from antibody, b u t lacks its dem onstrably specific activity; this has resulted in the term “Im m unoglobulin” being substituted for “antibody” in this article w henever this sense is inten d ed
Summary
A n a n tib o d y response is fo u n d in p rim itive vertebrates such as the lam prey (Petrom yzon) and in all later evo lu tio n a ry p h yla. Neonatal and germ free anim als, n o secondary response appears to occur; the antibody formed being always m acroglobulin unless adjuvants or very high doses of antigen are used. T h e m echanism s em ployed, or theoretically able to be em ployed to these ends are, (1) Stim u latin g increase in function of som e cells, (b) R em o val of m alfu n ction in g cells, (c) In activation of biologically active m aterials, such as h orm on es or enzym es, (d) N eu tralisation of toxic m aterials, (e) A change in the balance betw een types of tissues; for exam ple, the excess red cell mass occurring in people adapt ed to high altitudes, (f) A d ap tive cellular ch an ges. From “ Illustrations of M adness” — with a description of the tortures experienced by bomb-bursting, lobster-cracking and lengthening the brain in the air loom , by Joh n H aslam , 18 10
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
