Immunoglobulin M

Antigen Background

IgM, together with IgD, is the major immunoglobulin expressed on the surface of B cells and normally constitutes about 10 percent of serum immunoglobulin. IgM antibody is prominent in early immune responses to most antigens and predominates in certain antibody responses such as natural blood group antibodies.

Disclaimer

Immunoglobulin M is recommended for the detection of specific antigens of interest in normal and neoplastic tissues, as an adjunct to conventional histopathology using non-immunologic histochemical stains.