Abstract
IgM antibodies constitute the major component of the natural antibodies and is also the first class of antibodies produced during a primary antibody response. The IgM-type antibodies differ from other classes of antibodies in that they are predominantly produced by B1 cells, in the absence of apparent stimulation by specific antigens. In addition, IgM antibodies are mostly encoded by germline V gene segments and have low affinities but broad specificites to both foreign and self structures. New developments regarding the function of both immune IgM antibodies and natural IgM antibodies will be examined here. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1141-1149 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Molecular Immunology |
Volume | 37 |
Issue number | 18 |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2000 |
Keywords
- autoimmunity
- bacterial infection
- complement
- immune response
- immunoglobulin M
- viral infection
- FOLLICULAR DENDRITIC CELLS
- SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS
- T-DEPENDENT ANTIGEN
- LY-1 B-CELLS
- AUTOIMMUNE-DISEASE
- TRANSGENIC MICE
- COMPLEMENT RECEPTOR-1
- MURINE ANTIBODIES
- IMMUNOGLOBULIN-M
- INNATE IMMUNITY