Isotype (immunology)

In immunology, the "immunoglobulin (a.k.a. antibody) isotype" refers to the slight phenotypic variations within the immunoglobulin gene family that encode for variant immunoglobulin heavy chains and immunoglobulin light chains. To be an isotype of a particular gene family means to belong to a set of genes that encode functionally similar proteins. Usually, isotypes that belong to a particular gene family are duplicate copies of the same gene that arose because of a mistake during DNA replication. As the species continues to evolve, those duplicated genes are passed on from generation to generation until every member of the species has a copy. Each of those genes have since undergone mutations of their own, such that they diverge slightly in structure and function, giving rise to the different isotypes known today.

In humans, there are five heavy chain isotypes and two light chain isotypes:

Cells that express immunoglobulin proteins are called B cells, and the isotype that they secrete changes depending on a few variables. Some variables include exposure to antigen, interaction with T helper cells, and the composition of cytokines surrounding them. These variables all add up to mount a defensive response called the adaptive immune response. One of the main physiological changes that occurs during an adaptive immune response is a process called immunoglobulin class switching. The function of the antibody and its sub-localization within the body changes depending on the isotype class that it switches to.

Every single B cell only expresses one of the light-chain isotypes and sticks with that "choice" for its lifetime. This designation occurs prior to the B cell's full maturation. All daughter cells that may arise from this original B cell will also have this same light-chain.

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