How do antibodies destroy antigens?

Antigens are molecules the immune system considers 'foreign' which elicits an immune response. The antigens can be part of or produced by pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. The antigens themselves do not produce any 'substance' as you state in the question. read more

The antigens themselves do not produce any 'substance' as you state in the question. Antibodies are made to recognize specific (parts of) antigens. Antibodies can act in various ways, they usually act to neutralize or block pathogens and they act as signals for other immune cells. read more

Antibodies themselves, in general, do not destroy antigens, but instead remove them from the circulation. Antibodies are large molecules, and they change shape when they bind their antigens. The portion of the antibody molecule that interacts with other components of the immune system is called the Fc receptor. read more

Each antibody has a unique binding site shape which locks onto the specific shape of the antigen. The antibodies destroy the antigen (pathogen) which is then engulfed and digested by macrophages. White blood cells can also produce chemicals called antitoxins which destroy the toxins (poisons) some bacteria produce when they have invaded the body. read more