Immunoglobulin D
Immunoglobulin D
Immunoglobulin D (IgD) is an antibody isotype that is found in the blood serum of humans. Pronounced as /ˌɪmjʊnəʊɡlɒbjuːlɪn 'diː/, the term is derived from the Greek words 'immunos' meaning immunity and 'globulin' referring to a family of proteins.
Function
Immunoglobulin D, along with IgM, is expressed on the surface of mature B cells, where it plays a role in B cell antigen receptor signaling. It is also found in a soluble form in blood serum, although at very low concentrations compared to other immunoglobulins.
Structure
Like all immunoglobulins, IgD is a type of protein made up of two heavy chains and two light chains. The heavy chains of IgD are of the delta (δ) class, which gives the immunoglobulin its name.
Clinical significance
Although the exact function of IgD is not well understood, it is known to be involved in allergic reactions and the immune response to certain pathogens. Abnormally high levels of IgD can be a sign of certain diseases, such as multiple myeloma and IgD myeloma.
Related terms
- Immunoglobulin: A type of protein that functions as an antibody.
- B cell: A type of white blood cell that produces antibodies.
- Antigen: A substance that triggers an immune response.
- Pathogen: A microorganism that can cause disease.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Immunoglobulin D
- Wikipedia's article - Immunoglobulin D
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski