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.
Other names Isotype Switching; Class Switching; Switchings, Isotype; Switchings, Immunoglobulin Class; Switchings, Class; Switching, Isotype; Switching, Immunoglobulin Class; Switching, Class; Isotype Switchings; Immunoglobulin Class Switchings; Class Switchings, Immunoglobulin; Class Switchings; Class Switching, Immunoglobulin
