From Arthritis to Zoster

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is the most prevalent antibody found in secretions (tears, saliva, colostrum, etc.) and along the mucosal surfaces of the respiratory, genitourinary, and gastrointestinal tracts. Due to its presence in these fluids and tissues, IgA provides an early defense against invasion by bacteria and viruses.
IgA deficiency is the most common primary immunodeficiency found […]

Among the many components of a healthy immune system, the complement system – so named because it “complements” antibodies in their attempts to rid our bodies of foreign antigens – serves as one of the principal bridges between innate (“instinctive”) and acquired (“learned”) immune responses. The complement system is composed of a group of enzymes […]

We’ve all heard about them: Antibodies are those “things” that protect us from infection. But not many of us have a really good grip on what they look like, where they come from, or how they work.
Antibodies are large, protein molecules composed of four polypeptide chains (two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains). […]