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Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: scientizscht on 14/07/2018 14:07:46

Title: We can produce antibodies to specific antigens, but can we do the opposite?
Post by: scientizscht on 14/07/2018 14:07:46

If we gave known antibodies isolated, can we produce antigens for these antibodies?

Thanks

Title: Re: We can produce antibodies to specific antigens, but can we do the opposite?
Post by: thinkaroo on 21/07/2018 16:56:22

I'm assuming that the question is whether antigens can be produced by the body or synthesized artificially.

As background, the immune system produces specific antibodies to defend the body against antigens, or foreign substances, that enter the body. After the first encounter with a specific antigen, a healthy immune system will produce antibodies and develop a memory of that antigen. If it encounters the same antigen in the future, it will use its "memory" to quickly produce antibodies to neutralize the antigen.

Current antibody levels for certain types of antigens can be measured through special blood tests called titer tests. A useful way to check if one has adequate antibody levels (and immunity) should exposure to a specific antigen occur again is by getting a titer test:
https://www.accesalabs.com/titer-test
 (https://www.accesalabs.com/titer-test)

The immunity measured through titer testing is obtained from prior exposure to the disease or prior vaccination.

Because antibodies are produced by the body's immune system to protect against antigens, it would not be of any value for the body to produce the foreign antigens themselves. Antigens and antigen lookalikes can be synthesized artificially, however, and these are what are used in vaccines to simulate exposure to a specific antigen so the body can develop immunological memory and, as a result, immunity.