1.

Immunology: The study of all aspects of the immune system,

including its structure and function, disorders of the immune system,
blood banking, immunization, and organ
transplantation.=the branch of science dealing with the components of t
he immunesystem, immunity from disease, the immune response, andi
mmunologic techniques of analysis.
immunology in Medicine
The branch of biomedicine that is concerned with the structure and fun
ctionof the immune system, innate and acquired immunity, and laborat
orytechniques involving the interaction of antigens with antibodies.
immunology in Science
The scientific study of the structure and function of the immune system.
2. immune system in MedicineExpand
immune system
The integrated body system of organs, tissues, cells, and cell products th
atdifferentiates self from nonself and neutralizes potentially pathogenic
organisms or substances.
immune system in ScienceExpand

=any of the body's immunologic reactions to an antigen.

4. immunity in MedicineExpand
immunity immunity (-my'n-t)
1.

The quality or condition of being immune.

2.

Inherited, acquired, or induced resistance to infection by a specificpathogen.

immunity
(-my 'n-t)
The protection of the body from a disease caused by an infectious agent,such as a bacteriu
may be natural (that is, inherited)or acquired. See also acquired immunity.
1.the state of being immune from or insusceptible to a particular diseas
eor the like.
2.the condition that permits either natural or acquired resistance todise
ase.
3.the ability of a cell to react immunologically in the presence of ananti

gen.
immune system
4.exemption from any natural or usual liability.
The body system in humans and other animals that protects the organismby
tralizing potentially pathogenicorganisms or substances. The immune system 5.exemption from obligation, service, duty, or liability to taxation,jurisd
mucous membranes, which provide an external barrier to infection,cells involved
iction, etc.:
lymphocytes, and cellproducts such as lymphokines. See also autoimmune disease
The ambassador claimed diplomatic immunity when they arrested himfor
immune response in MedicineExpand
immune response n.
reckless driving.
An integrated bodily response to an antigen, especially one mediated bylymphocytes
6.Law. exemption from criminal prosecution or legal liability orpunish
antigens by specific antibodies orpreviously sensitized lymphocytes.
ment on certain conditions7.special privilege.
3.immune response in ScienceExpand
immune response
(-my n')
a.the ability of an organism to resist disease, either through the activitie
A protective response of the body's immune system to an antigen,especially a
disease. The immuneresponse involves the action of lymphocytes that deactivate sof specialized blood cells or antibodies produced by them in responseto
production of antibodies (humoral immune response) orby a direct attack on natural exposure or inoculation ( active immunity) or by theinjection of
response.) Aninability to produce a normal immune response results in immunodeficiencydiseases
antiserum or the transfer of antibodies from a mother toher baby via th
See also cell-mediated immune response, humoralimmune response.

e placenta or breast milk ( passive immunity) Seealso acquired

immunity, natural immunity
b.freedom from obligation or duty, esp exemption from tax, duty, legalli
ability, etc
c..any special privilege granting immunity
d.the exemption of ecclesiastical persons or property from various civil
obligations or liabilities
5.serology in MedicineExpand
serology serology (s-rl'-j)
n.
1.

The science that deals with the properties and reactions of ser
ums,especially blood serum.

2.

The characteristics of a disease or an organism shown by stud

antigen
(n't-jn)
A substance that stimulates the production of an antibody when introd
ucedinto the body. Antigens include toxins, bacteria, viruses, and other
foreignsubstances. Compare antibody.
1.Immunology. any substance that can stimulate the production ofantib
odies and combine specifically with them.
2.
Pharmacology. any commercial substance that, when injected orabsorb
ed into animal tissues, stimulates the production of antibodies.
3.
antigens of a particular type collectively.
antibody in MedicineExpand
antibody antibody (n't-bd')
n.
1.
Abbr. Ab A protein substance produced in the blood or tissues i
nresponse to a specific antigen, such as a bacterium or a toxin,
thatdestroys or weakens bacteria and neutralizes organic poiso
ns, thusforming the basis of immunity.

y ofblood serums.
3.

the science dealing with the immunological properties and acti

ons of serum.

antigen in MedicineExpand
4.

antigen antigen (n't-jn)

n.
Any of various substances, including toxins, bacteria, and the
cells oftransplanted organs, that when introduced into the bod
y stimulate theproduction of antibodies. Also called allergen ,
immunogen .

an'tigen'ic (-jn'k) adj.

antigen in ScienceExpand

2.

An immunoglobulin present in the blood serum or body fluids

as aresult of antigenic stimulus and interacting only with the a
ntigen thatinduced it or with an antigen closely related to it.

antibody in ScienceExpand
antibody
(n't-bd')
Any of numerous proteins produced by B lymphocytes in response to t
hepresence of specific foreign antigens, including microorganisms and t
oxins.Antibodies consist of two pairs of polypeptide chains, called heav
y chainsand light chains, that are arranged in a Y-shape. The two tips o
f the Y arethe regions that bind to antigens and deactivate them. Also c
alledimmunoglobulin.

1.

any of numerous Y -shaped protein molecules produced by B c

either of two parts or things needed to complete the whole;counterpart.

ells as aprimary immune defense, each molecule and its clones

4.

having a uniquebinding site that can combine with the comple

full quantity or amount; complete allowance.

mentary site of a foreignantigen, as on a virus or bacterium, th

5.

ereby disabling the antigen andsignaling other immune defense

the full number of officers and crew required on a ship.

s.

innate immunity n.

Abbreviation: Ab.

Immunity that occurs naturally as a result of a person's genetic constitu

2. antibodies of a particular type collectively.

complement in MedicineExpand
complement complement (km'pl-mnt)
n.
A group of proteins found in normal blood serum and plasma that area
ctivated sequentially in a cascadelike mechanism that allows them toco
mbine with antibodies and destroy pathogenic bacteria and other foreig
ncells.

tionor physiology and does not arise from a previous infection or vaccin

complement in ScienceExpand
complement
(km'pl-mnt)

epithelial barriers, 2) phagocytic leukocytes, 3) dendritic cells, 4) a

1.

2.

A group of proteins in blood serum that interact systematically

as partof the body's immune response to destroy diseasecausing antigens,especially bacteria. Complement proteins inte
ract with antibodies andother chemical substances to cause the
disintegration of foreign cellsand enhance other immune functi
ons such as phagocytosis.
A complementary color.

ation.Also called genetic immunity , inherent immunity , native immunity

, naturalimmunity , nonspecific immunity .
the innate immune system consists of cells and proteins that are always
present and ready to mobilize and fight microbes at the site of infection.
The main components of the innate immune system are 1) physical
special type of lymphocyte called a natural killer (NK) cell, and 5)
circulating plasma proteins. The adaptive immune system, on the other
hand, is called into action against pathogens that are able to evade or
overcome innate immune defenses. Components of the adaptive
immune system are normally silent; however, when activated, these
components adapt to the presence of infectious agents by activating,
proliferating, and creating potent mechanisms for neutralizing or
eliminating the microbes. There are two types of adaptive immune

something that completes or makes perfect:

responses: humoral immunity, mediated by antibodies produced by B

A good wine is a complement to a good meal.

lymphocytes, and cell-mediated immunity, mediated by T lymphocytes.

2.

Adaptive immune defenses

the quantity or amount that completes anything:

We now have a full complement of packers.
3.

nodes. This interaction is so crucial that the adaptive response cannot

occur without an innate immune system.
The cells of the adaptive immune system are lymphocytes B cells and
T cells. B cells, which are derived from the bone marrow, become the
cells that produce antibodies. T cells, which mature in the thymus,
differentiate into cells that either participate in lymphocyte maturation,
or kill virus-infected cells.
Both humoral and cell mediated responses are essential for antiviral
defense. The contribution of each varies, depending on the virus and
the host. Antibodies generally bind to virus particles in the blood and at
The immune
response to viral infection comprises innate and adaptive defenses. The
innate response, which we have discussed previously, functions
continuously in a normal host without exposure to any virus. Most viral
infections are controlled by the innate immune system. However, if viral
replication outpaces innate defenses, the adaptive response must be
mobilized.
The adaptive defense consists of antibodies and lymphocytes, often
called the humoral response and the cell mediated response. The term
adaptive refers to the differentiation of self from non-self, and the
tailoring of the response to the particular foreign invader. The ability to
shape the response in a virus-specific manner depends upon
communication between the innate and adaptive systems. This
communication is carried out by cytokines that bind to cells, and by
cell-cell interactions between dendritic cells and lymphocytes in lymph

mucosal surfaces, thereby blocking the spread of infection. In contrast,

T cells recognize and kill infected cells.
A key feature of the adaptive immune system is memory. Repeat
infections by the same virus are met immediately with a strong and
specific response that usually effectively stops the infection with less
reliance on the innate system. When we say we are immune to infection
with a virus, we are talking about immune memory. Vaccines protect us
against infection because of immune memory. The first adaptive
response against a virus called the primary response often takes
days to mature. In contrast, a memory response develops within hours
of infection. Memory is maintained by a subset of B and T lymphocytes
called memory cells which survive for years in the body. Memory cells
remain ready to respond rapidly and efficiently to a subsequent
encounter with a pathogen. This so-called secondary response is often

stronger than the primary response to infection. Consequently,

childhood infections protect adults, and immunity conferred by
vaccination can last for years.

humoral immunity n.
The component of the immune response involving the transformation o
f Bcells into plasma cells that produce and secrete antibodies to a specifi
cantigen.

whether a virus infection is cleared or causes damage to the host.

humoral immunity in ScienceExpand

humoral immunity
Immunity resulting from a humoral immune response.

However, an uncontrolled or inappropriate adaptive response can also

immunity conferred to an individual through the activity of B cells andt

be damaging. A complete understanding of how viruses cause cause

heir progeny, which produce circulating antibodies in response to thepr

disease requires an appreciation of the adaptive immune response, a

esence of a foreign substance and recognize the substance uponrenewed

subject well take on over the coming weeks.

exposure.

The nature of the adaptive immune response can clearly determine

phagocytosis in MedicineExpand
cellular immunity in MedicineExpand
cellular immunity n.
See cell-mediated immunity.
cell-mediated immunity n.
Abbr. CMI
Immunity resulting from a cell-mediated immune response. Also calle
dcellular immunity .
cellular immunity in ScienceExpand
cellular immunity
(sl'y-lr)
See cell-mediated immunity.
cell-mediated immunity
Immunity resulting from a cell-mediated immune response. Also calle
dcellular immunity. Compare humoral immunity.
immunity independent of antibody but dependent on the recognition of
antigen by T cells and their subsequent destruction of cells bearing thea
ntigen or on the secretion by T cells of lymphokines that enhance theabi
lity of phagocytes to eliminate the antigen.
humoral immunity in MedicineExpand

phagocytosis phagocytosis (fg'-s-t'ss)

n.
The engulfing and ingestion of bacteria or other foreign bodies byphago
cytes.
the process by which a cell, such as a white blood cell, ingestsmicroorga
nisms, other cells, and foreign particles
Physiology. the ingestion of a smaller cell or cell fragment, amicroorgan
ism, or foreign particles by means of the local infolding of acell's memb
rane and the protrusion of its cytoplasm around the folduntil the mater
ial has been surrounded and engulfed by closure of themembrane and f
ormation of a vacuole: characteristic of amebas andsome types of white
blood cells.
inflammation in MedicineExpand
inflammation inflammation (n'fl-m'shn)
n.
A localized protective reaction of tissue to irritation, injury, or infection

,characterized by pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes loss of functio

n.

=a substance having a single antigenic determinant that can react with

apreviously existing antibody but cannot stimulate more antibodyprodu
ction unless combined with other molecules; a partial antigen.

inflammation in ScienceExpand
inflammation
(n'fl-m'shn)
The reaction of a part of the body to injury or infection, characterized
byswelling, heat, redness, and pain. The process includes increased blo
od flowwith an influx of white blood cells and other chemical substance
s thatfacilitate healing.

opsonin in MedicineExpand
opsonin opsonin (p's-nn)
n.
An antibody in blood serum that causes bacteria or other foreign cells t
obecome more susceptible to the action of phagocytes.
=a constituent of normal or immune blood serum that makes invadingb
acteria more susceptible to the destructive action of the phagocytes.

inflammation definition
The response of tissue to injury or infection. Pain, heat, redness, andsw
elling are the four basic symptoms of inflammation.

immune complex in MedicineExpand

immune complex n.
Any of various complexes of an antigen and an antibody in the blood, to

Pathology. redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, heat, and disturbedfuncti

which complement may also be fixed, and which may form a precipitate

on of an area of the body, especially as a reaction of tissues toinjurious

agents.
2.
the act or fact of inflaming.
3.
the state of being inflamed.

=an aggregate of an antigen and its specific antibody.

immediate hypersensitivity
Type: Term

hapten in MedicineExpand
hapten hapten (hp'tn)
n.
A substance that is capable of reacting with a specific antibody but can
notinduce the formation of antibodies unless bound to a carrier protein
or othermolecule. Also called incomplete antigen , partial antigen .

Definitions:
1. an exaggerated immune response mediated by mast cell-bound IgE
antibodies occurring within minutes after exposing a sensitized
individual to the approximate antigen; also called Type I
hypersensitivity. Clinical symptoms result from the physiologic effects
of preformed or newly generated mediators, including histamine,
platelet activating factor, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, bradykinin,
tachykinins, and others. The reaction may be localized to specific organ
systems or be generalized, leading to anaphylaxis. Symptoms include

pruritus, urticaria, angioedema, conjunctivitis, sneezing, rhinorrhea,

bronchospasm, hypotension, arrhythmias, and shock.

anaphylaxis anaphylaxis (n'-f-lk'ss)

n. pl. anaphylaxes (-lk'sz)

Synonyms: immediate allergy, immediate hypersensitivity reaction

1.

ce andusually producing a contraction of smooth muscle and a

See: allergy
Delayed hypersensitivity reactions are inflammatory reactions initiated
by mononuclear leukocytes. The term delayed is used to differentiate a
secondary cellular response, which appears 48-72 hours after antigen
exposure, from an immediate hypersensitivity response, which
generally appears within 12 minutes of an antigen challenge. These
reactions are mediated by T cells and monocytes/macrophages rather
than by antibodies. They are also termed type IV hypersensitivity
reactions.
Delayed hypersensitivity is a major mechanism of defense against
various intracellular pathogens, including mycobacteria, fungi, and
certain parasites, and it occurs in transplant rejection and tumor
immunity. The central role of CD4+ T cells in delayed hypersensitivity is
illustrated in patients with AIDS. Because of the loss of CD4+ cells, the
host response against intracellular pathogens such asMycobacterium
tuberculosis is markedly impaired. The bacteria are engulfed by
macrophages but are not killed.
If T-cell function is abnormal, the patient presents with opportunistic
infections, including infection with mycobacteria, fungi, parasites, and,
often, mucocutaneous candidiasis.[1] Undesirable consequences of
delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions include illness such
as contact dermatitis and allograft rejection. Examples of DTH
reactions are contact dermatitis (eg, poison ivy rash), tuberculin skin
test reactions, granulomatous inflammation (eg, sarcoidosis, Crohn
disease), allograft rejection, graft versus host disease, and autoimmune
hypersensitivity reactions. Of note, the Rhus genus of plants, which
includes poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac, all cause identical
rashes
anaphylaxis in MedicineExpand

Hypersensitivity induced by preliminary exposure to a substan

dilation ofblood vessels.

2.

See anaphylactic shock.

=exaggerated allergic reaction to a foreign protein resulting fromprevio

us exposure to it.
Immune tolerance: A state of unresponsiveness to a specific antigen or
group of antigens to which a person is normally responsive. Immune
tolerance is achieved under conditions that suppress the immune
reaction and is not just the absence of a immune response.
Immune tolerance can result from a number of causes including:

Prior contact with the same antigen in fetal life or in the

newborn period when the immune system is not yet mature;

Prior contact with the antigen in extremely high or low doses;

Exposure to radiation, chemotherapy drugs, or other agents

that impair the immune system;

Heritable diseases of the immune system;

Acquired diseases of the immune system such as HIV/AIDS.

Immune tolerance can be defined as a state in which a T cell can no

longer respond to antigen. The T cell "tolerates" the antigen.

Immunogen

mine if asample of DNA comes from a specific person.

In medical practice, the two-letter acronym specifies a molecule, or

any substance or cell introduced into the body in order to generate ani
mmune response.
adjuvant in MedicineExpand
adjuvant adjuvant (j'-vnt)
n.
1.

A pharmacological agent added to a drug, predictably affectin

g theaction of the drug's active ingredient.

2.

A few examples of CDs about which you might be curious:

An immunological vehicle for enhancing antigenicity, such as a

water-in-oil emulsion in which antigen solution is emulsified in
mineral oil.Also called immunoadjuvant .

3.

antigen, usually on a cells surface. In 1982, an international group of

immunologists got together for theFirst International Workshop on
Human Leukocyte Differentiation Antigens. The initial focus was on
leukocyte (white blood cell) molecules. The goal was to agree on
definitions of receptors and other complex proteins to
which monoclonal antibodies bind, so that scientists could communicate
more effectively.

adjective
=serving to help or assist; auxiliary.

=Medicine/Medical. utilizing drugs, radiation therapy, or other means o

fsupplemental treatment following cancer surgery.
noun
=a person or thing that aids or helps.
=anything that aids in removing or preventing a disease, especially asub
stance added to a prescription to aid the effect of the mainingredient.
=Immunology. a substance admixed with an immunogen in ord
er toelicit a more marked immune response.
major histocompatibility complex in ScienceExpand
major histocompatibility complex
(m'jr)
A group of genes that code for cell-surface histocompatibility antigens
andare the principal determinants of tissue type and transplant compat
ibility.They are the most diverse genes in humans and are used to deter

CD1 the first-named CD; this complex glycoprotein is expressed in

immature T cells, some B cells and other, specialized immune cells in
the skin; there are several variants (CD1a, -b, -c) encoded by genes
on human chromosome 1.
CD4 a molecule on a mature helper T cell surface; T lymphocytes
with CD4 diminish in people with untreated HIV disease.
CD20 a molecule at the surface of immature B lymphocytes that
binds Rituxan, an antibody used to treat some forms of lymphoma,
leukemia and immune disorders.

In this schematic, an antibody recognizes a specific molecule, or cluster

of differentiation, at a cell surface.
The CDs were named (i.e. numbered) not necessarily by the order of
discovery, but by the order of their being deemed as bona fide CDs
by HLA Workshop participants. Theres a pretty good, albeit technical,
definition in FEBS Letters, from 2009:
Cluster of differentiation (CD) antigens are defined when a surface
molecule found on some members of a standard panel of human cells
reacts with at least one novel antibody, and there is good accompanying
molecular data.
Perhaps the best way to think about CDs is that theyre unique
structures, usually at a cells surface, to which specific antibodies bind.
By knowing the CDs, and by examining which antibodies bind to cells
in a patients tumor specimen, pathologists can distinguish among
cancer types. Another use is in the clinic, when oncologists give an
antibody, like Campath which binds CD52, the responsiveness might
depend on whether the malignant cells bear the CD target.

Antigen-presenting cell: A cell that can "present" antigen in a form

that T cells can recognize it. The cells that can "present" antigen
include B cells and cells of the monocyte lineage (including
macrophages).
autoimmune disease in MedicineExpand
autoimmune disease n.
A disease resulting from an immune reaction produced by an individual
'swhite blood cells or antibodies acting on the body's own tissues orextr
acellular proteins.
autoimmune disease in ScienceExpand
autoimmune disease
('t--my n')
A disease in which impaired function and the destruction of tissue arec
aused by an immune reaction in which abnormal antibodies are produc
edand attack the body's own cells and tissues. Autoimmune diseases inc
lude awide variety of disorders, including many disorders of connective
tissue,such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.
autoimmune disease definition

A disease in which the body produces antibodies that attack its own tiss
Still, I havent come across an official (such as NIH), open-source and
complete database for all the CDs. Most can be found at the Human
Cell Differentiation Molecules website, and information gleaned
through PubMed using the MeSH browser or a straight literature
search.

ues,leading to the deterioration and in some cases to the destruction of s

uchtissue.
=a disease resulting from a disordered immune reaction in whichantibo
dies are produced against one's own tissues, as systemic lupuserythemat
osus or rheumatoid arthritis.

Wikipedia is disappointing on this topic; the list thins out as the CD

numbers go higher, and the external references are few. To my
astonishment, I found a related page on Facebook. Neither makes the
grade.