24 - Immune biotechnology: natural and therapeutic antibodies Flashcards
Pathogens
An organism or virus that causes disease
Antigens
A substance that elicits an immune response by binding to receptors of B or T cells
Lymphocytes
A type of white blood cell that mediates immune responses. The two main classes are B and T cells
B cells
The lymphocytes that complete their development in the bone marrow and become effector cells for the humoral immune response.
Binding site
is a specific region on a molecule, such as a protein or nucleic acid, where another molecule, such as a ligand, substrate, or ion, can form a stable interaction
Heavy chains
One of the two types of polypeptide chains that make up an antibody molecule and B cell receptor; consists of a variable region, which contributes to the antigen-binding site, and a constant region
Light chain
One of the two types of polypeptide chains that make up an antibody molecule and B cell receptor; consists of a variable region, which contributes to the antigen-binding site, and a constant region
Variable regions
refers to the part of an antibody or immunoglobulin that is responsible for recognizing and binding to specific antigens
Constant regions
refers to the part of an antibody (immunoglobulin) that is relatively uniform in its amino acid sequence and structure across different antibodies of the same class.
epitope
A small, accessible region of an antigen to which an antigen receptor or antibody binds
Plasma cells
are a type of white blood cell that originates from B lymphocytes (B cells) and is primarily responsible for producing and secreting antibodies
Memory cells
are a type of lymphocyte that plays a crucial role in the adaptive immune system by providing long-term immunity after an initial exposure to an antigen.
Antibodies
A protein secreted by plasma cells (differentiated B cells) that binds to a particular antigen; also called immunoglobulin. All antibodies have the same Y shaped structure and in their monomer form consist of two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains
Neutralization
refers to the process by which antibodies render a pathogen or its toxins harmless, preventing them from infecting cells or causing damage.
Opsonization
is a process by which pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, are marked for destruction and removal by the immune system.
Complement system
A group of about 30 blood proteins that may amplify the inflammatory response, enhance phagocytosis, or directly lyse extracellular pathogens
Variable segments
refer to specific regions within the genes that encode the variable regions of antibodies and T cell receptors
Joining segments
are specific regions within the genes that contribute to the formation of the variable regions of antibodies and T cell receptors.
Constant segments
is the part that does not vary among different antibodies of the same class or isotype. It determines the class
Recombinase
a type of enzyme that facilitates the rearrangement of DNA sequences within a genome.
Primary response
the initial immune response that occurs when the body is first exposed to a pathogen, such as a virus or bacterium.
Attenuated virus
is a virus that has been weakened or modified so that it is no longer capable of causing disease in healthy individuals.
Passaging
the process of repeatedly culturing microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses, in a laboratory setting
Inactivated virus
is a virus that has been rendered non-infectious through physical or chemical means, such as heat or formaldehyde
DNA vaccines
are a type of vaccine that uses a small, circular piece of DNA called a plasmid to introduce genetic material encoding a specific antigen from a pathogen into the body.
Plasmid
A small, circular double-stranded DNA molecule that carries accessory genes separate from those of a bacterial chromosome; in DNA cloning, plasmids are used as vectors carrying up to about 10,000 base pairs of DNA. Plasmids are also found in some eukaryotes, such as yeasts.
Vector based vaccines
are a type of vaccine that uses a virus or bacterium (the vector) to deliver genetic material encoding an antigen from a pathogen into the body. The vector is typically harmless or attenuated, meaning it cannot cause disease
Vector
are vehicles used to deliver genetic material into cells. These vectors are often modified viruses or plasmids that can safely introduce DNA or RNA into host cells to produce a desired protein or antigen.
Hybridoma
is a cell line created by fusing an antibody-producing B cell with a myeloma (cancer) cell. This fusion results in a hybrid cell that combines the desirable properties of both parent cells: the ability of the B cell to produce a specific antibody and the myeloma cell’s capacity for continuous growth and division.
Monoclonal antibodies
Any of a preparation of antibodies that have been produced by a single clone of cultured cells and thus are all specific for the same epitope
