Antibody class switching

Isotype switching (or class switch) arises:
 * 1) IgH gene complex after V-D-J rearrangement,
 * 2) cleavage of a loop between two rearrangement sequences before C&mu; and some other C gene segment,
 * 3) gene complex after cleavage of part of the C-region,
 * 4) by transcription into RNA and splicing of the primary transcript mRNA encoding a certain immunoglobulin isotype is generated,
 * rearrangements can take place sequentially as long as there is something to eliminate,
 * what rearrangement occurs is regulated by cytokines,
 * IL-4 stimulates the production of IgE, IgG1, inhibits IgG2,
 * IFN-&gamma;, TGF-&beta;.

Related articles

 * Genetics of Ig, B and T receptors
 * Immune defense against multicellular parasites