antibodies spew hydrogen peroxide

[Guest guest]

This remarkable 2004 finding might be relevant to immunity and

immunopathogenesis. Mostly its just really cool:

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The antibody-catalyzed water oxidation pathway – a new chemical arm

to immune defense?

Nieva and Wentworth, Jr

Abstract

Antibodies are the classical adaptor molecules of the immune system,

linking recognition and killing of foreign pathogens. However, the

recent discovery of a new property of the antibody molecule suggests

a previously unexplored effector function of the immune system. All

immunoglobulins, regardless of source or antigenic specificity, can

catalyze the reaction between singlet (1Äg) oxygen and water to give

hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Both the chemical and biological aspects

of this pathway are being explored and intriguing new insights into

how this pathway might have a role in immune defense are emerging.