What is the test? Immunoglobulins are protein molecules. They contain antibody activity and are produced by the terminal cells of B-cell differentiation known as 'plasma cells'. There are five classes of immunoglobulin (Ig): IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD and IgE. In normal serum, about 80% is IgG, 15% is IgA, 5% is IgM, 0.2% is IgD and a trace is IgE. Quantitative serum immunoglobulin tests are used to de...

Monoclonal gammopathies are B cell neoplasms that are characterized by the presence of monoclonal immunoglobulins (M-proteins) in the serum. By an unknown mechanism, the normal polyclonal immunoglobulin levels are frequently reduced in sera of these patients. To assess the role of M-protein isotype in this effect, we used serum protein electrophoresis to quantitate monoclonal and polyclonal imm...

0892-6638/93/0007-0149/$01.50. © FASEB 149 ABSTRACT We have detected an immunoglobulin heavy-chain trans-mRNA of the e class in which the variable region of the human transgenic t chain is correctly spliced to the first exon of the endogenous mouse #{128} constant region. Together with our previous observations, all the endogenous isotypes that are targets of class switching have proved to be e...

We have examined the contributions of Interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-5, and other stimuli to the expression of Immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgE in murine B lymphoblasts activated with anti-Ig. The combination of IL-4 and -5 induced B lymphoblasts to proliferate and to secrete IgM and IgG1. However, an additional stimulus was required along with IL-4 and -5 for induction of IgE secretion. This stimulu...

Immunoglobulin heavy chain genes in Raja erinacea (little skate) are organized in clusters consisting of VH, DH, JH segments and CH exons (1). An immunoglobulin heavy chain mu-like isotype that exhibits 61-91% nucleotide sequence identity in coding segments to the Heterodontus francisci (horned shark) mu-type immunoglobulin is described. The overall length of the mu-type clusters is approximate...

The sera and circulating immune complexes (CICs) from mice bearing either UV-2237 mm, K-1735 M2, or B16-BL6 were analyzed for antibody isotype distribution during primary tumor growth and spontaneous metastasis. These studies clearly demonstrate that elevated CIC concentrations parallel the initial stages of primary tumor growth; however, the CICs, as well as serum concentration of all immunogl...

Introduction: Deficiencies of native antigliadin antibodies tests lead to the decrease of interest but, at the same time, to more serious studies of molecular biology in connection with this test. The discovery of specific B lymphocytes epitopes on certain deamidated gliadin molecules has led to a new serological test, the deamidated antigliadin antibodies. We aimed to evaluate these antibodies...