Immunoglobulin Class Switching

**Definition:** Gene rearrangement of the B-lymphocyte which results in a substitution in the type of heavy-chain constant region that is expressed. This allows the effector response to change while the antigen binding specificity (variable region) remains the same. The majority of class switching occurs by a DNA recombination event but it also can take place at the level of RNA processing.

**Tree numbers:** - G05.344.401.501.450 - G12.500.274.501.450

**Synonyms:** - Ig Class Switching - Class Switching - Isotype Switching