BioConcepts - Immune

immune processes that develop after birth

exposing susceptible individuals to antigens associated with an infectious disease process that do not cause the disease but rather induce an immune response that protects against subsequent infection

soluble reactive immunoglobulins that circulate in the bloodstream

a hypersensitivity reaction mediated by a sub-population of B-lymphocytes resulting in antigen-specific cell destruction

phagocytic white blood cells that non-specifically engulf foreign substances and then process and present them to lymphocytes

a portion of an antigen capable of eliciting an immune response

agents that specifically bind to the immune system but may or may not elicit an immune response

antibody-producing white blood cells that develop in the bone marrow and mediate humoral immunity

highly vascular connective tissue in the cavities of most bones that is the site where red and white blood cells develop from precursor cells called stem cells

large molecules like proteins that complex with haptens making them immunogenic

cytokine production or cell destruction mediated by T-lymphocytes that is activated when antigen presenting cells (APC's) present processed antigen to the T-lymphocyte receptor(s)

attraction of immune cells to a specific location by a chemical signal

the subgroup of an immunoglobulin determined by its heavy chain(s) that also defines type of cell receptor(s) that is (are) bound

theory proposing that diverse populations of lymphocytes capable of reacting to all foreign antigens coupled with selective elimination of clones of immune cells that react to "self" antigens results in a diverse and adaptive system of immunologic defense

a family of biologically-active proteins associated with non-specific immune responses that mediate cell destruction and elements of the immune response

the sequences of amino acids on the H and L chains of immunoglobulin molecules that are the same among different antibodies; the constant region of the H chains forms the cell receptor binding portion of an immunoglobulin molecule

low molecular weight, soluble, antigen-nonspecific glycoproteins produced by a variety of cells that stimulate proliferation, differentiation, and activation of cells of the immune system

foreign antigens that are processed by and then expressed on the surface of cells that have been invaded by intracellular pathogens such as viruses

an antigenic determinant

antigens on the surface of foreign cells such as bacteria that are engulfed by APC's, processed, and then presented to helper T cells resulting in the production of cytokines

the class of immunoglobulins consisting of a single Ig subunit with gamma heavy chains that is the predominant antibody in the circulation and mediates anamnestic immune reactions, ADCC, complement-mediated cell destruction, and opsonization

heavy polypeptide chains of antibodies that pair with L chains to form a functional immunoglobulin molecule. The constant end binds to an isotype-specific receptor site of T cells at one end and the variable end on the opposite pole of the immunoglobulin molecule pairs with L chains and binds specifically to antigen on target cells

non-immunogenic, low molecular weight substances that bind to antibodies and T-lymphocyte receptors

a subpopulation of T lymphocytes that produce cytokines in response to presentation of antigen(s) by APC's

immune response that occurs in body fluids involving antibodies and the B-lymphocytes that produce them

mechanisms used by the body to protect itself from foreign environmental agents such as infectious organisms, toxins, chemicals, and components or products of other living things

the induction of immunity against a specific infectious disease

agents that contact the immune system eliciting an immune response

a one or two subunit immunoglobulin that respectively circulates in the blood stream or is present in epithelial cell secretions that agglutinates foreign proteins and cells along mucous membranes

a one immunoglobulin subunit molecule that defines the antigenic specificity and is a major surface marker on B-lymphocytes

a single subunit immunoglobulin present in the smallest quantities and with the shortest half life that binds to mast cells and basophils to mediate a variety of hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis

globular proteins that circulate in body fluids and specifically bind to antigens and immunogens

the body's response to tissue invasion and/or damage

immune processes present at birth

an enzyme produced by retroviruses, including HIV, that catalyzes the insertion into the host cell genome of viral DNA that has been transcribed by reverse transcriptase from viral RNA

the immunoglobulin class

alteration in the class of antigen-specific antibody produced by a B-lymphocyte mediated by both antigen stimulation and cytokines

a subclass of T-lymphocytes that, when activated by endogenous antigens, destroys cells that express those antigens

light polypeptide chains of antibodies that pair with H chains to form the pole of a functional immunoglobulin molecule that specifically binds to antigens and immunogens

tissue composed of cells of the immune system along lymphatic channels that connect to the blood stream where both mature B- and T-lymphocytes destroy foreign substances and infectious agents

sites where cells of the immune system develop and function

cytokines that are exclusively produced by lymphocytes

the first class of antibody produced during immune response composed of five immunoglobulin subunits, each with a mu heavy chain, bound together in a pentameric ring

a group of tightly-linked genes on chromosome 6 that define "self" antigens and determine tissue or organ graft compatibility, resulting in acceptance or rejection following transplantation

mucosa-associated lymphocyte tissue such as tonsils and Peyer's patches under the small bowel that serve as secondary lymphoid organs to detect and eliminate foreign antigens coming in contact with mucosal epithelial surfaces

the requirement that immune cells share the same MHC or "self" antigens in order to interact and immunologically respond together

immune responsiveness mediated at epithelial mucosal surfaces, often involving IgA

a cancer of B-lymphocytes that causes these cells to produce huge quantities of immunoglobulin fragments

binding of substances such as antibodies to epitopes on cells that make the cells more susceptible to phagocytosis

transfer of protective antibody from an immune to a susceptible individual providing protection from disease for a period of time defined by the duration of antibody persistence

molecules produced by cytotoxic cells that bind to the plasma membrane of target cells creating large channels that alter selective membrane permeability and cause cell death

sites where cells of the immune system develop and mature including the bone marrow and thymus gland

an enzyme produced by retroviruses including HIV that synthesizes DNA from templates of viral RNA nucleotide sequences

sites where mature cells of the immune system encounter, trap, and destroy foreign substances as they invade the body, including the spleen, lymph nodes, and MALT

highly vascular organ consisting of blood sinuses and connective tissue where both mature B- and T-lymphocytes destroy foreign damaging agents and substances

a gland in most vertebrate animals in the upper anterior chest or base of the neck where T-cells migrate to mature

white blood cells that develop in the bone marrow and mature in the thymus that mediate cellular immunity

modified, immunogenic but harmless toxins that induce protective immunity from the effects of subsequent toxin exposure

induction of immune protection by exposing organisms to infectious agents that have been treated to substantially reduce or eliminate their ability to cause damage or disease

groups of antigens of an infectious agent

the sequences of amino acids on the H and L chains of immunoglobulin molecules that vary among different antibodies; this region forms the antigen-binding portion of the immunoglobulin