🧬 Antibody class 🌱 Duplicate specimen 🔤 Information symbol

isotype

9.3

A type of antibody, for example IgG or IgM, with a different heavy chain

noun
/ˈaɪsəˌtaɪp/

Specialized

: isotipo

The isotype switch of antibody production, such as that from IgM to IgG, as well as the process of antibody affinity maturation, requires T-cell help (29).
isotype antibody

Examples

And so you could get VDJ together with this alpha and that would produce an isotype known as IGA.
Of note, these cells also play an important role in effector and memory responses through their ability to bind the antibody isotypes generated in type 2 responses.

Academic text (2016)
Researchers identified the specific isotype of the antibodies produced by the immune response.
The test required the use of various isotype antibodies to ensure accurate results.
Different isotypes of antibodies, like IgG and IgM, play distinct roles in the immune system.

Surface Forms

isotype singular

isotypes plural

Morphology

isotype = type (semi-transparent) = iso + type

Built from iso- 'same' + type 'kind/class', but the antibody sense is a specialized technical use rather than an everyday combination.

Etymology

Isotype joins the prefix iso- meaning 'same' and type meaning 'kind', so it basically means a 'same kind' group. That's why in medicine an isotype names a class of antibodies, like IgG or IgM, that share the same constant part.