Immunoglobulin G

(IgG)
Immunoglobulin A
(IgA)
Immunoglobulin M (IgM) Immunoglobulin D
(IgD)
Immunoglobulin E
(IgE)
1. IgG is the serum
immunoglobulin. The
normal serum
concentration is about 8-
16mg/ml
2. Molecular weight is
150,000
3. It is the only
immunoglobulin that is
transported through
placenta & provides
natural passive
immunity to newborn
4. It is distributed equally
between the
intravascular &
extravascular
compartments
5. IgG appears late but
persists for long period.
It appears after the
initial immune response
which IgM in nature
6. It participates in
precipitation,
complement fixation &
neutralization of toxin &
viruses
7. It is protective against
those microorganisms
which are active in the
blood & tissues
1. IgA is the second major
serum immunoglobulin.
The normal serum
concentration is 0.6-
4.2mg/ml
2. IgA occurs in two forms,
serum IgA & secretory
IgA
3. Serum IgA is a
monomeric 7S
molecule, while IgA
found by two monomer
units joined together by
a glycoprotein named
the J chain
4. Secretory IgA contains
another polypeptide
called the secretory
piece or secretory
component
5. IgA is the principal
immunoglobulin
present in secretions
such as milk, saliva,
tears, sweat, nasal
fluids, colostrum & in
secretions of
respiratory, intestinal &
genital systems. It
protects the mucus
membranes against
microorganisms
6. IgA is mainly
synthesized locally by
plasma cells & little is
derived from serum

1. IgM is a pentamer consisting of
5 immunoglobulin subunits &
one molecule of J chain, which
joins the Fc region of the basic
subunits
2. It constitutes about 5-8% of
total serum immunoglobulins.
The normal level in serum is
0.5-2mg/ml
3. It is heavy molecule with a
molecular weight 900,000 to
1,000,000 hence also called the
millionaire molecule
4. IgM is mainly distributed
intravascularly
5. It is the earliest synthesized
immunoglobulin by fetus
6. It appears early in response to
infection before IgG. IgM
antibodies are short lived, &
disappear earlier than IgG.
Hence, its presence in serum
indicates recent infection
7. It cannot cross the placenta,
presence of IgM antibody in
serum of newborn indicates
congenital infection
8. It is very effective antibody in
agglutination & complement
fixation. It is more efficient
than IgG in these reactions
9. IgM provides protection
against blood invasion by
microorganisms

1. IgD resembles IgG
structurally
2. IgD is present in a
concentration of
3mg per 100ml in
serum. It is mostly
intravascular in
distribution.
3. Molecular weight is
1,80,000.

1. IgE is mainly produced
in the linings of
respiratory &
intestinal tracts. Serum
contains only traces. It
is distributed
extravascularly.
2. It is also referred to as
regains
3. Molecular weight is
1,90,00
4. It resembles IgG in
structure
5. It is heat labile
whereas other
immunoglobulins are
heat stable
6. It has affinity for
surface of tissue cells,
particularly mast cells
of the same species.
7. IgE mediates type I
hypersensitivity
reaction. This
responsible for
asthma, hay fever &
eczema
8. It cannot cross the
placental barrier or fix
the complement
9. IgE is responsible for
anaphylactic type of
reaction