Blocking antibody
Encyclopedia
A blocking antibody is an antibody
that does not have a reaction when combined with an antigen
, but prevents other antibodies from combining with that antigen.
The term can also be used for inhibiting antibody, prozone phenomenon
and, agglutination reaction.
Blocking antibodies have been described as a mechanism for HSV-1 to evade the immune system
.
Antibody
An antibody, also known as an immunoglobulin, is a large Y-shaped protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses. The antibody recognizes a unique part of the foreign target, termed an antigen...
that does not have a reaction when combined with an antigen
Antigen
An antigen is a foreign molecule that, when introduced into the body, triggers the production of an antibody by the immune system. The immune system will then kill or neutralize the antigen that is recognized as a foreign and potentially harmful invader. These invaders can be molecules such as...
, but prevents other antibodies from combining with that antigen.
The term can also be used for inhibiting antibody, prozone phenomenon
Prozone phenomenon
The prozone phenomenon is defined as a falsely negative test due to very high titers of antibody.Many laboratory tests rely on antigen-antibody interactions. The prozone phenomenon is said to be present when dilution of a previously negative sample leads to a positive test...
and, agglutination reaction.
Blocking antibodies have been described as a mechanism for HSV-1 to evade the immune system
Immune system
An immune system is a system of biological structures and processes within an organism that protects against disease by identifying and killing pathogens and tumor cells. It detects a wide variety of agents, from viruses to parasitic worms, and needs to distinguish them from the organism's own...
.