The most abundant immunoglobulin in human serum is immunoglobulin G (IgG) (approximately 80% of the total). IgG protein is comprised of molecules of 4 subclasses designated IgG1 through IgG4. Each subclass contains molecules with a structurally unique gamma heavy chain. Of total IgG, approximately 65% is IgG1, 25% is IgG2, 6% is IgG3, and 4% is IgG4. Molecules of different IgG subclasses have somewhat different biologic properties (eg, complement fixing ability and binding to phagocytic cells), which are determined by structural differences in gamma heavy chains. Clinical interest in IgG subclasses concerns potential immunodeficiencies (eg, subclass deficiencies) and IgG4-related diseases (eg, IgG4 elevations). The IgG subclass assay (IGGS / IgG Subclasses, Serum) is best for deficiency testing, and the IgG4 assay (IGGS4 / Immunoglobulin Subclass IgG4, Serum) is best for IgG4-related disease testing.
Diminished concentrations of IgG subclass proteins may occur in the context of hypogammaglobulinemia (eg, in common variable immunodeficiency where all immunoglobulin classes are generally affected) or deficiencies may be selective, usually involving IgG2.
Deficiency of IgG1 usually occurs in patients with severe immunoglobulin deficiency involving other IgG subclasses.
Deficiency of IgG2 is more heterogeneous and can occur as an isolated deficiency or in combination with deficiency of immunoglobulin A (IgA), or of IgA and other IgG subclasses. Most patients with IgG2 deficiency present with recurrent infections, usually sinusitis, otitis, or pulmonary infections. Children with deficiency of IgG2 often have deficient antibody responses to polysaccharide antigens including bacterial antigens associated with Haemophilus influenzae type B and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Isolated deficiencies of IgG3 or IgG4 occur rarely, and the clinical significance of these findings is not clear.
May mean a long-term (chronic) infection, such as AIDS, is present. Levels of IgG are higher in IgG MGUS, IgG multiple myeloma, long-term hepatitis, and multiple sclerosis (MS). In multiple myeloma, tumor cells make only one type of IgG antibody (monoclonal); the other conditions cause an increase in many types of IgG antibodies (polyclonal).
Get a deeper understanding of your blood, urine, and stool test results.
$99 $79 per year
$6.60 per month billed annually
Our database has science-based research on 1500+ biomarkers.
$15 per month
COVID-19 special offer!
$99 $79 per year
$250 single payment
At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.
Acetylcholine Receptor (AChR) Antibody, Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), Anti-Smith Antibody, Antinuclear Antibodies Direct (ANA Direct), C3a desArg Fragment, CCP Antibodies IgG/IgA, Complement C3, Complement C4, Serum, Complement C4a, Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibody, Dilute Russell's viper venom time (dRVVT), ds-DNA Antibody, IgG, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), Histamine, Plasma, Immature Grans (Abs), Immature Granulocytes (%), Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum, Immunoglobulin D, Quant, Serum, Immunoglobulin E, Total, Immunoglobulin G, Qn, Serum, Immunoglobulin M, Qn, Serum, Interleukin-2, Serum, Interleukin-6, Jo 1 Antibodies, IgG, Serum, Liver-Kidney Microsomal Antibodies, Lupus Anticoagulant, Prothrombin Time (PT), Prothrombin Time (PT) INR, RA Latex Turbid, Rheumatoid factor, TGF-b1, Thrombin time, Transforming Growth Factor beta, Plasma, Tryptase, Vegf, Serum
