Immunoglobulins have antibody properties, that is, they can attach and bind, and ultimately destroy, the antigen that caused their production. For instance, when we have an immune reaction to a virus, our immune system produces antibodies that react with and destroy this virus on a subsequent exposure. When we’re vaccinated, we’re exposed to treated complexes of specific live viral antigens.
Our immune systems react and produce antibodies to the specific virus present in the vaccine. Upon subsequent exposure to this virus, these vaccine-induced antibodies destroy the virus keeping us free from disease. If we were unable to produce antibodies, if, for instance, we have inadequate immunoglobulin levels, we'd have symptoms of immune deficiency. That is, we wouldn't be able to fight off colds and viruses and if we received vaccines, they wouldn’t result in antibody production or “wouldn't take.”
In autoimmune disorders, our immune systems become tricked (by triggers such as viral particles which mimic our cells) into producing antibodies against our body’s cells, which are immunologically referred to as self-components. Autoantibodies don’t target specific organs, rather they target cell parts such as the cell nucleus or cell receptor of tissue in certain organs.
Autoantibodies are present in 20% of the population, but only 3% of the population develop autoimmune diseases. Individuals with autoantibodies are said to have autoimmunity. When these individuals go on to develop symptoms of the particular disease these antibodies are associated with, they are said to have an autoimmune disease. For instance, individuals who have thyroid autoantibodies and symptoms of thyroid disease (demonstrated by abnormal laboratory tests) have autoimmune thyroid disease.
