Each cell, protein, vitamin and nutrient in the body plays a role in how well the immune system functions, as well as the way it regulates and maintains its power to fight off harmful pathogens. Key cells and proteins that work together within the immune system include cytokines, lymphocytes, neutrophils, macrophages, complement proteins, and antibodies.
Antibodies, in particular, have special roles to play when it comes to your immunity. There are five in total, each serving a specific purpose. IgM antibodies, for example, are produced to hunt pathogens and mark them for destruction. The IgE antibody was recently found to have a role in allergies and the response of the immune system when an allergen enters the system. Certain lymphocytes called B cells rely on IgD to help produce new antibodies, and IgA is found in serum, nasal discharge, saliva, and breast milk and plays a role in maternal immunity, among other things.
The most prevalent antibody, however, is IgG. It makes up over 70% of all antibodies found in the system and is the only one that can pass through placenta, essentially protecting newborns in the womb and for a week after birth. It protects the body as a whole after being transported to blood and tissue. But what is the role of IgG in immune response, exactly?
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