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Previous Volume 330:1008-1009 April 7, 1994 Number 14 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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In the immune response to a foreign protein, the first antibodies to appear are of the IgM class (or isotype). As the response proceeds, other isotypes (IgG, IgA, and IgE) emerge as the result of immunoglobulin-class switching. The isotype switch has considerable clinical importance because each of the four major isotypes has specialized biologic properties. IgG, for example, is the principal class of antibody in interstitial fluids, whereas IgA is the protective antibody of mucosal surfaces. Isotype switching requires collaboration between antibody-synthesizing B cells and helper CD4+ T cells. In this collaboration, the B cell uses IgM molecules on its . . . [Full Text of this Article]

References

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Israels, L. G., Israels, E. D. (1999). Lymphocytes. The Oncologist 4: 129-137 [Abstract] [Full Text]