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.

Synonyms: Class Switchings, Class Switchings, Ig, Isotype Switching, Switching, Ig Class, Class Switching, Immunoglobulin, Isotype Switchings, Switchings, Immunoglobulin Class, Switchings, Ig Class, Ig Class Switching, Switching, Isotype, Switchings, Class, Switching, Immunoglobulin Class, Class Switching, Ig, Class Switchings, Immunoglobulin, Immunoglobulin Class Switchings, Switchings, Isotype, Ig Class Switchings, Class Switching, Immunoglobulin Class Switching, Switching, Class