Immunity and Immunologic Oral Lesions Flashcards
Acantholysis
Dissolution of the intercellular bridges of the prickle cell layer of the epithelium.
Acquired immune response
An immune response to a foreign substance based on the specific memory of a past exposure to that same foreign substance.
Active immunity
A type of immunity based on antibodies developed in response to an antigen, which includes both natural and acquired types.
Adjuvants
The agents that can be added to a vaccine to modify the immune response.
Allergen
An antigen that produces a hypersensitivity or allergic reaction.
Allergy
Hypersensitivity acquired through exposure to a particular allergen that elicits an exaggerated reaction on reexposure to the same allergen.
Anaphylaxis
A severe immediate type of hypersensitivity in which an exaggerated immunologic reaction occurs on reexposure to a foreign protein or other substance after sensitization, resulting in not only hives, itching, and swelling, but also vascular collapse and shock, as well as death.
Antibody
A protein molecule or immunoglobulin that is secreted by plasma cells and reacts with a specific antigen; includes five classes: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM.
Antibody titer
The level of antibody in the blood that can be measured by a diagnostic laboratory test.
Antigen
Any substances able to induce a specific immune response.
Attenuated
The ability to reduce the virulence of a pathogenic microorganism but still keep it viable, as is done in the development of certain vaccines.
Autoantibody
An antibody that reacts against a tissue constituent of one’s own body.
Autoimmune disease
An immunopathologic condition characterized by tissue trauma caused by an immune response against tissue constituents of one’s own body.
B-cell lymphocyte
A type of lymphocyte that develops in lymphoid tissue other than the thymus and that can later differentiate into a plasma cell that produces antibody, the main initiator of humoral immunity.
Cell-mediated immunity
A type of immunity in which the major role is played by T-cell lymphocytes.
Connective tissue diseases
A category of autoimmune diseases with connective tissue as the primary target of the pathology.
Cytokines
The proteins produced by various cell types for the purpose of intercellular communication or signaling; immunologic cytokines are involved as biochemical mediators in the immune response.
Delayed hypersensitivity
A type of hypersensitivity reaction that takes time to develop after t-cell lymphocytes are previously introduced to an antigen to either directly cause damage to the tissue cells or recruit other cells that cause the damage.
Dendritic cells
A type of white blood cell that acts as an antigen-presenting cell in the skin and mucosa.
Dysgeusia
An alteration in taste.
Humoral immunity
A type of immunity in which both the B-cell lymphocytes and the antibodies they produce as plasma cells play a predominant role.
Hypersensitivity
An altered state of reactivity in which the body reacts to a foreign agent such as an allergen with an exaggerated immune response; includes the four types, type I through IV.
Hyposalivation
Decreased salivary flow that may result in xerostomia.
Immune complex
The combination of an antibody and antigen, producing a complex that can initiate a hypersensitivity or allergic reaction.
Immunization
An induction of active immunity, such as when the pathogenic microorganism used to induce active immunity is encountered after vaccination.
Immunodeficiency
A type of immunopathologic condition that involves a compromised or entirely absent immune system involving its white blood cells and their products.
Immunoglobulins
The proteins that, when secreted by plasma cells, serve as antibodies designed to respond to a specific antigen.
Immunomodulator
A substance that alters the immune response by augmenting or reducing the ability of the immune system to produce antibodies or sensitized cells that recognize and react with the antigen that initiated their production.
Interferon
A family of glycoproteins that have immunoregulatory, antineoplastic, and antiviral activity; it is one of the cytokines.
Langerhans cell
A specialized dendritic cell found in the skin and mucosa that is involved in the immune response.
LE cell
Mature neutrophil with a phagocytized spherical inclusion derived from another neutrophil; it is used as a marker of autoimmune disease.
Lymphocytes
The white blood cells involved in the immune response that have three major subsets; the B-cell lymphocyte, T-cell lymphocyte, and natural killer cell.
Lymphoid tissue
Tissue composed of lymphocytes supported by a meshwork of connective tissue; includes tonsillar tissue, lymph nodes, and lymphatic organs.
Lymphokines
The subset of cytokines produced by B-cell or T-cell lymphocytes in contact with antigens that serve as biochemical mediators in an immune response.
Macrophage
A large tissue-bound mononuclear phagocyte derived from monocytes circulating in the blood, which can become mobile when stimulated by inflammation and interact with lymphocytes in an immune response as well as during inflammation.
Monokines
The subset of cytokines primarily produced by monocytes or macrophages that serve as biochemical mediators in an immune response.
Mucositis
The inflammation of a mucosal tissue due to a disease process.
Natural killer cell
Type of lymphocyte that is part of the initial innate immune response, which by unknown mechanisms is able to directly destroy cells recognized as foreign.
Nikolsky sign
Diagnostic sign whereby the superficial epithelium separates easily from the basal layer on exertion of firm, sliding manual pressure with the fingers or a tongue blade.
Passive immunity
Type of immunity that uses antibodies produced by another person to protect an individual against infectious disease, which includes both natural and acquired.
Plasma cel
The cell derived from B-cell lymphocytes that produces antibodies in response to the presence of antigen.
Pruritus
The symptom of severe itching due to a disease process, possibly a hypersensitivity reaction or allergy.
Rheumatoid factor
Antibody that binds to certain antibodies found in the serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and connective tissue disease such as Sjögren syndrome. Current assays test for IgM-class rheumatoid factor.
Schirmer test
A test that measures lacrimal gland flow by placing special filer paper strips inside the lower eyelid for 5 minutes.
Serum sickness
A classic example of type III hypersensitivity that involves a drug allergy to antitoxin serum from horses.
Syndrome
A group of signs and symptoms that occur together.
Symblepharon
Fibrous adhesion between the eyeball and conjunctiva.
T-cell lymphocyte
A lymphocyte that matures in the thymus and is mainly responsible for initiating cell-mediated immunity as well as modulating humoral immunity.
Thymus
Organ consisting of lymphoid tissue located high in the chest, which is large in an infant and gradually shrinks in size in adulthood: site of T-cell lymphocyte maturation.
Xerostomia
Dryness of the mucous membranes, including the oral cavity; usually caused by hyposalivation or decreased salivary flow.
