Terrence has severe asthma and allergies, and is placed on a medication that blocks the functioning of IgE. How would this medication alleviate his symptoms?

Video transcript

Hi, everyone. Let's take a look at this practice problem together, blocking IG A can have specific effects on the immune response, particularly in the context of the answer. Options are a mucosal defense. B cytokine production, C systemic immune response and D cell mediated immunity. So, recall that IG A is one of the five classes of antibodies and the antibodies differ in their structure and thus their function differs as well. Now IG A is the most abundant antibody of the five classes. So if it is blocked, how is the immune response affected? Option B cytokine production? Recall that cytokines are signaling molecules and are secreted by numerous immune cells. They are not produced by antibodies. Again, they're produced by numerous immune cells. So option B is incorrect. Option C systemic immune response recall that a systemic immune response involves many different cells and pathways. Now, while IG A can be a part of the systemic immune response, it would not have specific effects on the overall response. So option C is incorrect. Option D cell mediated immunity recall is an immune response that does not involve antibodies. Therefore, blocking IG A antibody would have no effect on cell mediated immunity. So, option D is incorrect. The correct answer is mucosal defense. IG is found predominantly in mucous membranes, particularly those of the respiratory and digestive tracts. So, it's an important antibody that prevents pathogens from getting into the more internal tissues of the body. If it is blocked, it would have a special and specific effect on the defense mechanisms of the mucous membranes. So the correct answer is option a mucosal defense. All right, everyone. I hope you found this helpful and I'll see you soon for the next practice problem.