What does «inmunoglobulina» mean in Spanish?
- Immunoglobulins are proteins produced by and active in the immune system. They are produced by B lymphocytes, by the effects of genes and antigens. Immunoglobulins are responsible for humoral immunity, or immune reactions controlled by antibody molecules in the body. Structurally, they have two heavy and two light chains, and, depending on the specific immunoglobulin, additional polypeptide chains. They can remain as individual proteins, or polymerize into more complex structures. The transmembrane forms become antigen receptors on B cells. When activated, B cells secrete immunoglobins as antibodies.