BIO - TERMS - IMMUNE Flashcards
(171 cards)
12/23 rule
Phenomenon wherein two gene segments of an immunoglobulin or T-cell receptor can be joined only if one recognition signal sequence has a 12-base-pair spacer and the other has a 23-basepair spacer.
accelerated rejection
The more rapid rejection of a second graft after rejection of the first graft. It was one of the pieces of evidence that showed that graft rejection was due to an adaptive immune response.
acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
A disease caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1). AIDS occurs when an infected patient has lost most of his or her CD4 T cells, so that infections with opportunistic pathogens occur.
acquired immunodeficiency (secondary immunodeficiency)
The inability, obtained during the life of an individual, to produce specific antibodies or T cells, due to drugs or disease.
active immunity
(i-myū′ni-tē) Activation of the immune system by a vaccine or by exposure to the naturally occurring infectious agent. Offers long-term protection because memory cells are formed. Compare to passive immunity.
Active immunization
Th e process of inducing an immune response by exposure to a vaccine; contrasts with passive immunization. (Chapter 8)
acute desensitization
An immunotherapeutic technique for rapidly inducing temporary tolerance to, for example, an essential drug such as insulin or penicillin in a person who is allergic to it. Also called rapid desensitization. When performed properly, can produce symptoms of mild to moderate anaphylaxis.
Acute infection
A common pattern of infection in which virus particles are produced rapidly, and the infection is resolved quickly by the immune system; survivors are usually immune to subsequent infection. (Chapter 5)
acute rejection
The rejection of a tissue or organ graft from a genetically unrelated donor that occurs within 10–13 days of transplantation unless prevented by immunosuppressant treatment.
adaptive immune system
System of lymphocytes providing highly specific and long-lasting defense against pathogens in vertebrates. It consists of two major classes of lymphocytes: B lymphocytes (B cells), which secrete antibodies that bind specifically to the pathogen or its products, and T lymphocytes (T cells), which can either directly kill cells infected with the pathogen or produce secreted or cell-surface signal proteins that stimulate other host cells to help eliminate the pathogen.
Adoptive transfer
Th e transfer of cells, usually lymphocytes, from an immunized donor to a nonimmune recipient. (Chapters 4 and 8)
agnathans
A class of vertebrate comprising jawless fish lacking adaptive immunity based on the RAG-mediated V(D)J recombination, but possessing a distinct system of adaptive immunity based on somatically assembled VLRs.
AIDS (acquired immunodefi ciency syndrome)
The usually fatal human disease in which the immune system is destroyed by the human immunodefi ciency virus (HIV).
airway hyperreactivity, hyperresponsiveness
The condition in which the airways are pathologically sensitive to both immunological (allergens) and nonimmunological stimuli, such as cold air, smoke, or perfumes. This hyperreactivity usually is present in chronic asthma.
allergen desensitization
An immunotherapeutic technique that aims either to change an allergic immune response to a symptom-free non-allergic response, or to develop immunologic tolerance to an allergen that has been causing unpleasant clinical symptoms. The procedure involves exposing an allergic individual to increasing doses of allergen.
allergic contact dermatitis
A largely T-cell-mediated immunological hypersensitivity reaction manifested by a skin rash at the site of contact with the allergen. Often the stimulus is a chemical agent, for example urushiol oil from the leaves of the poison ivy plant, which can haptenate normal host molecules to render them allergenic.
allograft rejection
The immunologically mediated rejection of grafted tissues or organs from a genetically nonidentical donor. It is due chiefly to recognition of nonself MHC molecules on the graft.
anti-lymphocyte globulin
Antiserum raised in another species against human T cells. It is used in the temporary suppression of immune responses in transplantation.
Artemis
An endonuclease involved in the gene rearrangements that generate functional immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor genes.
artificially acquired active immunity
The production of antibodies by the body in response to a vaccination.
artificially acquired passive immunity
The transfer of humoral antibodies formed by one individual to a susceptible individual, accomplished by the injection of antiserum.
aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)
A basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor that is activated by various aromatic ligands including, famously, dioxin. It functions in the normal activity of several types of immune cells including some ILCs and IELs.
autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS)
An inherited syndrome in which a defect in the Fas gene leads to a failure in normal apoptosis, causing unregulated immune responses, including autoimmune responses.
azathioprine
A powerful cytotoxic drug that is converted to its active form in vivo, which then kills rapidly proliferating cells, including proliferating lymphocytes; it is used as an immunosuppressant to treat autoimmune disease and in transplantation.