Auto immunity: Introduction and Mechanism

Introduction A condition resulted by the action of antibodies or immunologically competent cells. Cause structural or functional damage of the normal components of the body. Literally means ‘protection against self’ but means ‘injury to self’ in actual. Ehrlich postulated the concept of horror auto-toxicus. Was proposed while observing goats producing antibodies against erythrocytes from other … Read more

Determinants of antigenicity

Antigenicity is the ability to combine specifically with the final products of the responses i.e. secreted antibodies and/or surface receptors on T cells. All molecules having the property of immunogenicity also have the property of antigenicity but the reverse is not true. Some small molecules are antigenic but they are not able to induce a … Read more

Factors affecting antibody production

Antibodies, which are also called immunoglobulin, are proteins which are protective in nature. Usually  produced by the immune system in response to the presence of a foreign substances that can be bacteria, virus, fungi or any other living forms. There are various factors affecting antibody production. They are as follows: a) Age The embryo is immunologically … Read more