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Humoral immunity
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
Ig is a characteristic product of secretion of B cells at the final stage of their differentiation, i.e. plasma cells. The concentration of Ig in the blood serum reflects the established balance between their synthesis and decay. Defects associated with the disruption of Ig metabolism are observed in many diseases. A decrease in the Ig content in the blood serum can occur for three reasons:
- disruption of the synthesis of one, several or all Ig classes;
- increased destruction of Ig;
- significant loss of Ig (for example, in nephrotic syndrome).
The general consequence of these processes is a deficiency of Ig and, accordingly, antibodies. When Ig synthesis is disrupted, the reactions of the cellular immune response mediated by T-lymphocytes are also disrupted. An increase in the amount of Ig may be due to an increase in their synthesis or a decrease in the intensity of their decay. Increased production of Ig is the cause of hypergamma globulinemia.
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