Blocking antibodies prevent harmful organisms from attaching to host cells by binding to the part of the bacterium or virus used to attach itself to host cells, making it difficult or impossible for the invader to harm its host. They are produced by B cells with the help of T-helper cells.
Antibodies are an important component of the immune system that acts against pathogenic organisms. A blocking antibody is a specific type that works by preventing a bacterium or virus from attaching itself to a host cell. By binding to the part of the bacterium or virus used to attach itself to host cells, the blocking antibody makes it difficult or impossible for the invader to harm its host.
An antibody is a protein produced by the immune system in response to a foreign invader, such as bacteria and viruses. These invaders, including any substance that causes a reaction from the immune system, are called antigens. Different cell types work together to form the correct antibody to fight a specific antigen. Any antibody, including a blocking antibody, is specific to an antigen, meaning it will only work against that particular antigen.
The first cells that interact with the antigen are called macrophages. A macrophage envelops an invading bacterium or virus and uses biochemical processes to break the cell into smaller units. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins bind to antigenic subunits – the parts of the cell that elicit an immune response – and carry them to the surface of the macrophage to be passed on to T cells.
A protein within T cells, called the T cell receptor (TCR), recognizes MHC proteins made by macrophages. The TCR can only recognize antigens that have been bound to an MHC protein. Once the TCR has recognized the antigen, there are several ways a T cell can act to destroy the invasive cells. T cells that help produce antibodies, called T-helper cells, stimulate B cells to produce the specific antigen blocking antibody.
B cells produce antibodies working together with T-helper cells. When a B cell binds to antigen, it cannot immediately produce the correct antibody. Instead, it first degrades the antigen and presents it to a T-helper cell. The T-helper cell then produces a chemical that stimulates the B cell to produce the specific antibody for that antigen.
In the specific case of a blocking antibody, the antibody does not produce any visible reaction with the antigen. Instead, it prevents anything else from attaching itself to the antigen. Thus, a blocking antibody can prevent a harmful organism from infecting a host cell, since once the antigen is bound to the antibody it cannot bind to anything else.
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