IMM Flashcards
Epitope
The smallest piece of antigen that an antibody can recognize and bind to
Lectin
A family of proteins that bind specific sugars on glycoproteins and glycolipids
Class switching
Process by which a B cell changes the class of antibody it produces, while maintaining specificity
Memory (immunological)
Characteristic of lymphocytes in the adaptive immune system wherein encounter with a given antigen for a second time produces a faster, more robust, and longer-lasting response
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)
A genetic region encoding molecules involved in antigen presentation to T cells
Integrin
Heterodimeric cell adhesion molecules
Adjuvant
A substance that is added to a vaccine in order to improve or stimulate the immune response
Granzyme
vA serine esterase that is present within the granules of cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells
Antigen
A foreign substance that elicits an immune response
Hapten
A small molecule that only elicits an immune response when attached to a larger molecule
Basophils
Mature cells with a bilobed nucleus and granules containing histamine and heparin. Important in immediate-type hypersensitivity.
Perforin
A protein that facilitates granzyme entry into target cell cytosol
Eosinophils
Mature granular cells that play a major role in parasitic infection and chronic allergies
Phagocyte
Cells that engulf and destroy antigen
T cells
Lymphocytes that function in cell-mediated immunity
Plasma cell
Terminally-differentiated B cell that secretes antibody
Monocytes
Phagocytic antigen-presenting cells located in the bloodstream that differentiate into tissue macrophages when stimulated
Neutrophils
Mature phagocytic cells with a multi-lobed nucleus that contain toxic cytoplasmic granules with bactericidal capabilities
Natural killer cells
Lymphoid cells containing granzyme and perforin that directly destroy infected or malignant cells
Lymph
Fluid that drains into and through the lymphatic system
Hypersensitivity
Excess immune response, leading to a harmful consequence (e.g. tissue damage)
Cell-mediated immunity
Branch of adaptive immunity mediated by T lymphocytes
Histamine
A vasoactive amine present in basophils and mast cells
Opsonization
Coating of antigen with opsonin, in order to enhance phagocytosis
Somatic hypermutation
Mechanism for increased antibody diversity and affinity, via V(D)J recombination following antigenic stimulation
Dendritic cells
Cells that present processed antigens to T cells
Effector cell
Cells that actually do the job of fighting off microbes
Interleukins
Cytokines that acts on other leukocytes
Helper vs. Cytotoxic T cells
Helper: CD4+ T cells that mediate inflammation as well as the proliferation and differentiation of T and B cells
Inflammation
Response to trauma, characterized by increased blood flow as well as entry of leukocytes into the affected tissue
Anergy
Absence of a normal immune response by a cell type to a particular antigen
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)
The human major histocompatibility complex (MHC)
Negative selection
Deletion of autoreactive T cells via apoptosis in the thymus
Ligand
A molecule that is recognized by a receptor
Cytokines
Secreted proteins that work as mediators of immune and inflammatory reactions
Positive selection
Selection of T cells that are capable of interacting with MHC in the thymus
Hematopoiesis
The development of all blood cells from progenitor stem cells
Antigen-presenting cells
Cells that present peptides from antigens on their surfaces, via major histocompatibility complexes (MHC)
Complement
A system of serum proteins that ultimately produce effector molecules involved in opsonization, inflammation, and lysis
Humoral immunity
Branch ofadaptive immunity involving B cells
B cells
Lymphocytes that function in humoral immunity through the secretion of antibodies
Granulocytes
Myeloid cells that contain cytoplasmic granules
Pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)
Molecules widely expressed by microbial pathogens that are identified by pattern recognition receptors of the innate immune system
Phagolysosome
Vacuole formed intracellularly via the fusion of a phagosome and lysosome for the destruction of antigen
Macrophages
Phagocytic antigen presenting cells derived from monocytes
Antibody (Immunoglobulin)
A glycoprotein secreted by plasma cells, composed of two identical light (L) chains and two identical heavy (H) chains
Leukocyte
White blood cells
Exudate
A fluid rich in protein and cellular elements that oozes out of blood vessels due to inflammation
Adaptive immunity
Branch of the immune system that requires expansion and differentiation of lymphocytes in response to pathogens
Innate immunity
Allthe immune defenses that lack immunologic memory
Germinal centers
Areas within secondary lymph tissue where B cell maturation occurs
Respiratory burst
Oxidative reaction that occurs in phagocytic cells for destruction of antigen
