Antibodies are proteins found in blood and other bodily fluids that are designed to combat infectious antigens. Antibody generation is the process of producing antibodies, which is an important part of developing a healthy immune system. B cells in the body can be stimulated to produce antibodies in a variety of ways, including through passive, natural, and manipulated or artificial methods.
Antibody production is a necessary process that lasts for the rest of one’s life. Because each antibody can only fight one specific antigen, antibodies continue to build and grow throughout one’s life. Special receptors on the ends of the “arms” of the tiny Y-shaped proteins plug into a single type of antigen like a key into a lock. Antibodies must be produced or activated every time a new antigen is discovered in order to combat the virus or infection that results.
A growing fetus receives antibodies through the placenta while in the womb. These are pre-made antibodies that pass from the mother’s immune system to the baby’s developing system. Though they help reduce the risk of some infections by preparing the fetus to fight them, they are insufficient because not all antibodies can pass through the protective placenta. Breast-feeding allows mothers to pass antibodies to their infants, which some doctors recommend as a way to build a strong immune system.
In the body, some antibody production occurs naturally. A natural antibody is one that the body produces without having come into contact with an antigen. Some natural antibodies are produced in response to substances created by the digestive process, such as sugars. These antibodies have posed a problem for medical research because they are thought to be a factor in some types of transplant rejection.
The intentional creation of antibodies through processes such as vaccination is referred to as artificial antibody generation. A vaccine is an antigen that has been rendered “dead” and injected into the body. While the antigens in vaccines are unable to cause infection, they do stimulate the appropriate B cells to produce antibodies, ensuring that the body has a supply of antibodies in the event of contact with a live virus. Some vaccines are only required once in a lifetime, while others, such as the flu shot, are required annually.
Antibody generation is a field of medicine that is constantly being researched. Many people hope that as technology advances, human understanding of antibodies will expand beyond simple vaccination to include areas like artificial antibody production for use against auto-immune diseases and viruses. Every year, a significant amount of research and funding is devoted to furthering the understanding of these critical proteins.