IgG3

IgG3 is the most potent human IgG subclass in effector terms: its extended, flexible hinge exposes the Fc region such that IgG3 fixes complement C1q more efficiently than any other subclass and binds activating Fc gamma receptors with high avidity, producing strong ADCC and inflammatory responses. These properties make IgG3 prominent in responses to viral and bacterial protein antigens and in anti-erythrocyte alloimmunization. The same subclass carries the shortest serum half-life among human IgG proteins, roughly a week, because its Fc region binds the recycling receptor FcRn less effectively. IgG3 Fc variants are studied when maximal complement recruitment is therapeutically desirable.