Immunoglobulin class switching (or isotype switching) is a mechanism by which the constant region of a heavy chain changes.

Because the variable region does not change, class switching does not change which antigens are bound. Instead, it retains avidity for the same antigens, but with different antibodies. For example, the switch cam be from IgM to IgG. Avidity is a measure of the synergism of the strength individual interactions when they work as a group. ... IGM might be an acronym or abbreviation for: The polymeric immunoglobulin, IgM International Grandmaster, a chess ranking intergalactic medium Intragroup medium - see: Intracluster medium IG Metall - the dominant German metalworkers union IGM is an acronym created by Robinson Technologies for several early BBS door games, including Legend of the Red... Schematic of antibody binding to an antigen An antibody is a protein complex used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses. ...

The order (after the V, D, and J regions) is as follows (see external links for diagrams):

• μ - IgM
• δ - IgD
• γ3 - IgG3
• γ1 - IgG1
• α1 - IgA1
• γ2 - IgG2
• γ4 - IgG4
• ε - IgE
• α2 - IgA2

IGM might be an acronym or abbreviation for: The polymeric immunoglobulin, IgM International Grandmaster, a chess ranking intergalactic medium Intragroup medium - see: Intracluster medium IG Metall - the dominant German metalworkers union IGM is an acronym created by Robinson Technologies for several early BBS door games, including Legend of the Red... Schematic of antibody binding to an antigen An antibody is a protein complex used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses. ... Schematic of antibody binding to an antigen An antibody is a protein complex used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses. ... IGA may stand for: Koji Igarashi, a video game producer Interactive genetic algorithm International Geothermal Association Independent Glass Association International Gothic Association International Gamers Award International Goat Association Irish Games Association Irish Geological Association ImmunoGlobulin A - see IgA nephritis which is a renal disease IGA (supermarkets) Independent Grocers Association or... IGE (Internet Gaming Entertainment) is the largest MMORPG services company world-wide, with offices in Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and Miami. ...

See also

• immunogenetics
• antibody

Immunogenetics is the branch of medical research that explores the relationship between the immune system and genetics. ... Each antibody binds to a specific antigen; an interaction similar to a lock and key. ...

External links

• MeSH Immunoglobulin+class+switching
• Diagram and description at med.sc.edu (see Figure 10)
• Diagram at umassmed.edu
• Diagram and description at cam.ac.uk
• Diagram at utoronto.ca