What Are Humoral Immunity Antibodies?

One of the wonders of the immune response system manifests itself in the form of humoral immunity antibodies. Aptly named, the humoral immunity involves substances in the bodily fluids, or humors. The humoral immune response makes up one of the two major components of the immune system, operating through the activation of B cells which proliferate and release specific antibodies. These specific antibodies target a particular invader to stop an infection. The process consists of two phases, the activation phase and the effector phase. A precision strategy, the humoral immune response only activates those B cells recognizing the invader.

The Activation Phase

• During the activation stage, macrophanges (cells of the immune system) surround the foreign invaders and digest them. The macrophanges display some of the digested pieces so that other cells in the immune system can identify the invader. Upon identification, helper T cells (Th) activate and attach to the digested pieces displayed, called antigens -- a process akin to marking them for destruction. This process serves as a transition to the effector phase.

The Effector Phase

• The activated helper T cells send a signal to specific B cells requesting activation. This communicative process starts the effector phase. The specified B cells rapidly propagate at this point and release the required humoral immunity antibodies to actively assault the invader. The released antibodies append to the invader and initiate breakdown of the virus or microorganism.

An Effective Strategy

• At the conclusion of the humoral response, specific B cells activate to release an abundant amount of precision antibodies. Yet, only the B cells required to repel the foreign invader activate, underscoring an important function in the manufacturing of humoral immunity antibodies. The process conserves vital energy required to resist and repel the invader. In addition, such specificity serves to prevent harmful effects resulting from the production of numerous antibodies. Producing too many antibodies not effectively aligned to destroy the invader may instead result in confused, unneeded antibodies attacking normal cells in a case of mistaken identity.

Why Antibodies Are Important

• Antibodies comprise a range of offensive and defensive capabilities for the immune system. Antibodies help isolate antigens through a binding process, preventing them from interacting with cells in the body. Antibodies also serve as an important identification tag for macrophages, expediting the process of surrounding and destroying the foreign invader. Antibodies stimulate the complement system to manufacture proteins that poke holes in bacteria cells, killing them in the process.