Did you know that when we get sick, when we catch a cold, a big battle is going on inside our bodies? Our own body's defenses fight against the germs, that is, invaders, from outside in an invisible way. The most special and skilled soldiers in this defense force are the 'antibodies' that we are talking about today. Without these, even a small cold could get us into a lot of trouble.
Simply put, what are these antibodies?
To understand this, let's take a small example. Imagine that your body is a well-protected country. Thieves and enemies can come from outside this country. That means things like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and toxins. We call anything that is harmful to our body and comes from outside an antigen . Simply put, an antigen is an invader that enters our body.
Now, when this invader (Antigen) enters the body, our defense system, the immune system, recognizes it. It immediately sends a signal saying, "Here comes someone unknown!" At that moment, our immune system produces a special type of protein called an antibody to fight this invader and destroy it. So, an antibody is like a policeman or a soldier in our body.
Another word used for antibodies is Immunoglobulin . You may see this name abbreviated as (Ig) on some of your blood test reports.
How are these antibodies produced? Where do they work?
B cells, a type of white blood cell in our body, act as factories that produce these antibodies. When an antigen, or germ, comes into contact with a B cell, the B cell divides rapidly and makes thousands of copies of itself. We call these new cells plasma cells. It is these plasma cells that produce millions of antibodies and release them into the blood and lymph system.
These antibodies then travel throughout the body, seeking out those invaders, capturing them, and destroying them.
These antibodies are found in many places in our bodies:
- In the blood
- Skin
- In the lungs
- In tears
- In saliva
- Especially in breast milk
Yes, the thick milk secreted by the mother in the first few days after a baby is born, called colostrum, contains a very high concentration of antibodies. That is why breastfeeding greatly increases the baby's immunity. The baby receives the protective elements from the mother's body directly.
There are 5 types of antibodies - not all of them do the same thing!
Just like there are different regiments in our security forces, antibodies are divided into 5 main types. Each type has a specific role. Let's see what they are.
| Antibody type | Main function and specialty |
|---|---|
| Immunoglobulin G (IgG) | This is the type that is most abundant in our blood. It is these that remember previous infections and are ready to fight them off if the same germ comes back. These IgG antibodies also cross the placenta and protect the baby in the womb. |
| Immunoglobulin A (IgA) | These are mostly found in the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, lungs, and digestive tract. This means they are the gateways through which germs enter the body. They are also abundant in breast milk. |
| Immunoglobulin M (IgM) | When a new infection hits the body, these IgM soldiers are the first to go to battle. That's why IgM levels are tested to determine if a recent infection has occurred. |
| Immunoglobulin E (IgE) | These are the main players in allergies. IgE levels increase when the body reacts to things like dust, pollen, and certain foods. They also fight against parasites. |
| Immunoglobulin D (IgD) | These are found in very small amounts in the blood. Although they are believed to help B cells function, their exact role is still being researched. |
Antibodies made in the lab? What are these monoclonal antibodies?
Sometimes, the antibodies that our body naturally produces alone may not be able to fight a disease. In such cases, scientists create a special type of antibody in the laboratory. These are called Monoclonal Antibodies .
These are like sending a missile to its target. These antibodies are designed to target and attack only a specific cell (e.g., a cancer cell) or protein that causes a specific disease. This treatment method is also called immunotherapy .
This treatment method is now used for a number of diseases.
| Some conditions for which monoclonal antibody therapy is used |
|---|
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Let's talk about some special occasions.
When talking about antibodies, there are a few specific cases we often hear about.
COVID-19 and antibodies
With the COVID-19 pandemic, we all started hearing about antibodies.
- If you have recovered from COVID-19, your body has developed antibodies that can fight the virus.
- If you have received the COVID-19 vaccine, it will also stimulate your body's production of antibodies.
- The most important thing: When someone who has recovered from COVID-19 gets the vaccine, that person's antibody response becomes much stronger. The protection it provides is also greater.
You can get an antibody test to see if you have COVID antibodies in your body. However, research is still ongoing on how long these antibodies last in the body.
Thyroglobulin Antibodies (Antibodies that attack the thyroid gland)
Sometimes, our immune system mistakenly attacks healthy parts of our own body. Many people with thyroid problems have antibodies that attack their own thyroid gland. These are called Thyroglobulin antibodies . These can cause the thyroid gland to either overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism).
If your doctor suspects a thyroid problem, they may order a blood test to check the levels of these antibodies.
Autoantibodies
This is the main part of the "self-attack" concept that we talked about earlier. Our antibodies mistake proteins on our own healthy cells for "invaders" and start attacking them. These antibodies are called autoantibodies .
We call diseases caused by this condition autoimmune diseases .
- Lupus
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Hashimoto's Disease
- Type 1 Diabetes
Examples of such diseases include: The ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) test is the main test performed when there is suspicion of such a disease.
Just because the ANA test is positive doesn't mean you have an autoimmune disease. It just means that your doctor needs to investigate it further. So don't be alarmed by a report like that. Talk to your doctor about it.
Take-Home Message
- Antibodies are proteins produced by our body's immune system that protect us from germs, infections, and toxins.
- Something harmful to our body from outside is called an antigen, and something that tries to fight against it is called an antibody.
- Breast milk, especially colostrum, provides vital protection for infants because it is rich in antibodies.
- Sometimes our own antibodies can attack healthy parts of our body. This condition is called autoimmune diseases.
- If you have any questions or concerns about antibodies, immunity, or any of the conditions mentioned in this article, please discuss them with your doctor.
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