The Immune Response and Adaptive Immunity

Vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes about innate and adaptive immunity, including cellular components, MHC classifications, and signaling cytokines.

Innate Immunity

Immunity that is genetically coded (born with it), not dependent on prior exposure, and antigen non-specific.

Adaptive Immunity

Also known as acquired immunity; a system stimulated by specific foreign substances called antigens that is added to the body's defense mechanism over time.

Antigen

A specific foreign substance, pathogen, or foreign particle that stimulates the adaptive immune response.

T cell receptors

Antigen recognition molecules located on the surface of T Cells.

Antibodies

Also known as immunoglubulins; antigen recognition molecules located on the surface of B cells or secreted by plasma cells.

Specificity

A property of adaptive immunity where a specific defense is activated by a specific antigen.

Versatility

The property that allows a large diversity of lymphocytes to respond and generate additional lymphocytes and antibodies for any antigen.

Memory

The property of adaptive immunity that makes a secondary response faster, stronger, and longer-lasting.

Tolerance

The ability of the immune system to ignore and tolerate the body's "normal" antigens.

Natural Passive Immunity

Transfer of maternal antibodies across the placenta or in breast milk.

Induced Passive Immunity

The administration of antibodies to combat infection, such as vaccinations.

Natural Active Immunity

Immunity that develops from exposure to antigens in the environment.

Induced Active Immunity

Immunity that develops from vaccinations given to induce an antibody response to antigens.

Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)

A set of proteins coded to recognize non-self (antigens).

$$MHC\,I$$

Proteins coded to recognize non-self located on the surface of all vertebrate cells.

$$MHC\,II$$

Proteins only found on lymphocytes and macrophages that are involved in the immune response.

$TH1$ Response

The cellular response arm of the adaptive immune system that occurs on the cell surface.

$TH2$ Response

The humoral (antibody-mediated) response arm of the adaptive immune system that occurs on the cell surface and in circulating blood and lymph.

$CD4^+$ (T Helper)

T cells that activate immune responses.

$CD8^+$ (T Suppressor)

Cells that act as immune response down-regulators or deactivators.

Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes ($CTLs$)

$CD8^+$ cells that kill target cells.

Antigen Presenting Cell ($APC$)

A cell, such as a macrophage, that engulfs an antigen and displays it on its surface using $MHC\,II$.

$$IL-1$$

An interleukin that activates T cells and B cells.

$$IL-12$$

A cytokine that activates Natural Killer Cells for immunological surveillance.

$$IL-2$$

A major growth factor for T and B cells that enhances the cytolytic activity of NK cells.

Lymphokine activated Killer Cell ($LAK$)

A cell formed when $IL-2$ enhances the cytolytic activity of Natural Killer cells.

$$IL-8$$

A cytokine that acts as an activator and chemotactic factor for $PMNs$.

Polymorphonuclear leukocyte ($PMN$)

A type of leukocyte activated by $IL-8$, $RNI$, $ROI$, and $TNF$.

Neutrophil

A lymphatic system cell whose main action is against bacterial infection.

Eosinophil

A cell that responds to allergens and whose main action is against parasitic infections.

Basophil

A cell whose main action is against bacterial and fungal infections.

Monocyte

A cell responsible for detecting and digesting foreign invaders.

Memory Cell (B lymphocyte)

Long lived cells that allow a rapid response in subsequent infection.

Plasma Cell (B lymphocyte)

B lymphocytes that produce antibodies to specific antigens.

Natural Killer Cell

A cell involved in immunological surveillance that kills viral infected cells or cells identified as non-self.