The most characteristic proteins
of the defence system, the immune globulin molecules
bind to the antigens to inform other immune cells
of the existence of the antigen or to start the destructive
chain reactions of the war.
IgG (Immune
Globulin G): IgG is the most common antibody.
Its development takes only a few days, while its life
span ranges from a few weeks to several years. IgGs
circulate in the body and are mainly present in the
blood, lymphatic system, and intestine. They circulate
in the bloodstream, directly target the invader, and
latch on to it as soon as they detect it. They have
a strong antibacterial and antigen-destroying effect.
They protect the body against bacteria and viruses,
and neutralize the acidic property of toxins (poisons).
Additionally, the IgG may squeeze
itself between cells, and eliminate the bacteria and
micro-organic invaders that have infiltrated to the
cells and the skin. Due their above-mentioned ability
and small size, they can enter the placenta of a pregnant
woman and protect an undefended foetus against possible
infections.
If antibodies were not created with
this characteristic which permits them to penetrate
the placenta, the unborn child in the mother's womb
would be unprotected against microbes. It would be
under the threat of death even before it was born.
For this reason, the antibodies of the mother protect
the embryo against the enemies until the time of birth.
IgA (Immune
Globulin A): These antibodies are present in
sensitive regions where the body fights with antigens
such as in tears, saliva, mother's milk, blood, air
sacs, mucus, gastric and intestinal secretions. The
sensitivity of those regions relates directly to the
tendency of bacteria and viruses to prefer such damp
mediums.
IgAs, which are structurally quite
similar to each other, settle in those regions of
the body where microbes are most likely to enter,
and they keep this area under control. This is like
placing reliable soldiers on guard at strategically
critical points.
The antibodies, which protect the
foetus from various diseases in the mother's womb,
do not abandon the newborn following their birth,
but continue to guard them. All newborn babies do
need ongoing assistance from the mother, because there
are no IgAs in the organism of a newborn baby. During
this period, the IgAs present in the milk the baby
sucks from its mother protect the baby's digestive
system from the effect of many microbes. Just like
IgGs, this antibody class also disappears after they
have fulfilled their term of service, when the baby
is a few weeks old.
Have you ever wondered who sends
you these antibodies that try to protect you from
microbes, when you are in the form of an embryo and
unaware of anything? Is it your mother or your father?
Or is it that they have taken a common decision and
sent you these antibodies together? Certainly, the
help in question is out of the control of both parents.
The mother is not even aware that she has been endowed
with such an aid plan. The father is just as unaware
of all that is going on.
Then why do the cells present in
the mother's breast and productive of these antibodies
function in such a way? Which power has told these
cells that the newborn needs antibodies? It is by
no means a coincidence that the cells engaging in
antibody production for the baby are located in the
place where the newborns suckle.
Here, there is another very important
miracle. Antibodies are protein-structured organisms.
Proteins, on the other hand, are digested in the human
stomach. Therefore, normally, the baby suckling milk
from its mother would digest these antibodies in its
stomach, and would become unprotected against microbes.
The stomach of the newborn baby, however, is created
in such a way that it does not digest and destroy
these antibodies. The production of protein-digesting
enzymes is very little at this stage. Therefore, antibodies
vital for life are not digested and they protect the
newborn baby from its enemies.
The miracle does not end here. The
antibodies, which are not broken down by the stomach,
can, however, be absorbed by the intestine as a whole.
The intestinal cells of the newborn are created in
such a way as to do so.
Unquestionably, it is no coincidence
that these miraculous events are arranged in such
a sequence. The human body, a meticulously planned
example of creation, passes from the embryonic stage
to having a fully functional immune system in a perfectly
phased manner. This is because the events that are
supposed to take place in the body every day, every
hour and every minute, are computed in an extremely
finely-tuned manner. Certainly, the author of this
precise calculation is God, Who creates everything
according to a very intricate plan.
IgM (Immune
globulin M): These antibodies are present in
the blood, lymph and on the surface of the B cells.
When the human organism encounters an antigen, IgM
is the first antibody that is produced in the body
in response to this enemy.
An unborn child can produce IgMs
in the sixth month of gestation. If an enemy ever
attacks the baby in the mother's womb, for example,
if it infects it with a microbial disease, the baby's
IgM production will increase. In order to determine
whether the foetus has been infected with a disease
or not, the IgM level in its blood is measured.
IgD (Immune
globulin D): IgDs are also present in the blood,
lymph, and on the surface of B cells. They are not
capable of acting independently. By attaching themselves
to the surfaces of T cells, they help them capture
antigens.
IgE (Immune
globulin E): IgEs are antibodies circulating
in the bloodstream. These antibodies, which are responsible
for calling fighter and some other blood cells to
war, also cause some allergic reactions in the body.
For this reason, the level of IgE is high in allergic
bodies.
