Denaturing of Antigens, Antibodies and Toxins

[CM1]

In the human body, being proteins, do foreign Antigens, Antibodies and Toxins denature - preventing them from acting how they usually would? If so, please can you let me know of the conditions under which this happens, what happens due to this, and any sources regarding the same.

Thanks in advance

[admin]

Hello CM1,
that is an interesting question although the body is quite smart and has redundant systems in place even if this were to happen.

Antigens and toxins could denature probably in weird pH areas such as the stomach, bladder or intestine. Also this could happen elsewhere however its early in the morning and i cant think of any other places.

Antibodies interestingly are secreted into the urine and also into the stomach i believe IgA isotypes?

SO i guess there maybe situations but antibodies are known to recognize both 3D structure epitopes and primary sequence (ie we in the lab use antibodies which can isolate proteins or peptides), so the body can even handle denatured toxins or antigens.

please let me know what you find as my immunology course was many years ago.

hope this blabber helps
cheers