antigenivastaainekomplekseihin

Antigenivastaainekomplekseihin, also known as antigen-antibody complexes, are structures formed when an antibody binds to its specific antigen. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign substances like bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Antigens are molecules, typically found on the surface of these foreign substances, that trigger an immune response. When an antibody encounters its corresponding antigen, it binds to it through specific binding sites, forming a complex.

These complexes play a crucial role in the adaptive immune response. The formation of an antigen-antibody complex can neutralize the antigen directly, for example, by blocking a virus from entering a cell. Additionally, the complex can act as a signal, attracting other immune cells like phagocytes, which engulf and destroy the foreign substance. This process, known as opsonization, enhances the efficiency of the immune system's clearance of pathogens. The deposition of antigen-antibody complexes in tissues can also trigger inflammatory responses, mediated by the complement system, another part of the immune defense. While generally beneficial, the uncontrolled formation or deposition of antigen-antibody complexes can sometimes lead to autoimmune diseases or immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis.