Immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a)

BALB/c mice typically respond to vaccines and subunit vaccines with a Th2-type immune response, which is associated with the stimulation of IgG1 antibodies . However, the major antibody isotype present in the sera of mice that survive viral infections is IgG2a , which is stimulated during Th1-type immune responses . Stimulation of IgG2a antibodies has been associated with increased efficacy of vaccination . Additionally, monoclonal antibodies of the IgG2a isotype are more efficient at clearingvirus infections than monoclonal antibodies of the IgG1 isotype displaying similar antigenic specificities.

Aspace filling model of mouse IgG2a from the strain BALB/c. The two heavy chains are shown in yellow and light blue whilst the two light chains are shown in green and dark blue. The carbohydrate (red and green) is just visible in the Fc.