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Immunoglobulins (Ig) are a synonymous term for antibodies. There are five isotypes of Igs: IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE and IgD with a specific type of heavy chain. Their distribution among tissues and their role in the immune system is distinct from each other.

In vivo describes processes that occur in the living organism. Sometimes used in contrast to “in vitro” to imply more natural circumstances of an experiment or a study.

In vitro denotes processes like experiments or production steps that are performed outside of an organism, traditionally in glass tubes or flasks, hence “vitro” meaning “glass”.

The immune system is a highly complex network of cells and proteins that defend the organism against pathogens like bacteria, viruses, parasites and toxins. One branch of the human immune system is adaptive in the sense that once exposed to a pathogen, it is rapidly recognized and a strong immune response is triggered. Both processes […]