Immunology Vocabulary Flashcards

These flashcards cover crucial vocabulary and concepts related to immunology, aiding in the understanding of immune responses and related mechanisms.

Acute phase

The initial response in inflammation involving cytokines like TNF-𝛂, IL-1, and IL-6, leading to liver production of proteins that initiate the complement cascade.

Agglutination

Specific clumping of bacteria that may involve cross-linking.

Anaphylatoxins

Small peptides (C3a, C4a, C5a) released during complement activation that cause smooth muscle contraction and increased vascular permeability.

Anaphylatoxin receptors

Receptors on various cell types that amplify the inflammatory response by inducing pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Antibody (Ab) or immunoglobulin (Ig)

A protein produced by vertebrates in response to an antigen, capable of binding to that antigen.

Antigen (Ag)

The molecule or structure against which the immune response is directed; specifically binds to antibodies or T-cell receptors.

Antigenic peptides

Fragments of antigens that are recognized by T cells.

Antigen presenting cells (APC)

Cells like macrophages and dendritic cells that process and present antigens to T cells.

Antimicrobial proteins and peptides (AMPs)

Proteins like lysozyme that disrupt microbial membranes and prevent bacterial growth.

Antitoxin

A substance that neutralizes toxins produced by bacteria.

Avidity

The overall strength of binding for an entire substance; differs from affinity, which is for individual bindings.

Chemokines

Small peptides released in response to injury that attract immune cells to the site.

C-C chemokine

Chemokines characterized by consecutive cysteine residues, such as MCAF and RANTES.

C-X-C chemokine

Chemokines with an intervening amino acid between cysteines, includes IL-* and SDF-1.

Common g-chain mutations

Mutations leading to X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (X-SCID), impacting B cells, T cells, and NK cells.

Complement receptors

Receptors like CR1, CR3, and CR4 that recognize fragments of complement proteins.

Complement system

A cascade of proteins that leads to bacterial lysis upon activation.

Complementary determining regions (CDRs)

Hypervariable regions on antibodies responsible for binding to antigens.

Cytolysis

The lysis of bacteria mediated by the complement system.

Effector cells

B cells that secrete antibodies and T cells that respond to antigens on cell surfaces.

Endocytosis

A process by which cells internalize substances, distinct from phagocytosis.

Epitope or antigen determinant

The specific part of an antigen that binds to an antibody or T-cell receptor.

Framework

The amino acids in the antibody variable region that maintain the orientation of CDRs.

Gut-associated lymphoid (GALT)

Lymphoid tissue located in the gut.

Herceptin

A therapeutic agent used to investigate the relevance of Fc receptors in tumor regulation.

Histamines

Mediators released after tissue injury that promote vasodilation.

Hypothalamus

Brain region that releases CRH to stimulate ACTH release from the pituitary gland.

Immunodeficiency

Loss of immune function, can be primary (genetic) or secondary (acquired).

Immunogen

A substance that elicits an immune response; all immunogens are antigens but not all antigens are immunogens.

Inflammation

A response characterized by vasodilation, increased permeability, and the recruitment of immune cells.

Interferons

Cytokines produced in response to viral infections that have antiviral effects.

Interferon response

The production of type 1 interferons by infected cells to inhibit viral replication.

Intracellular staining

A multi-tiered approach to visualize proteins that targets both surface and internal proteins.

Kinins

Mediators released after injury that promote vasodilation and activate pain receptors.

Lymph nodes

Structures that contain leukocytes and facilitate immune responses to antigens.

Lysozyme

An enzyme found in various bodily fluids that cleaves bacterial peptidoglycans.

MHC polymorphism

Variations in the major histocompatibility complex that affect peptide binding and presentation.

MHC expression

Changes in MHC molecule levels in response to infection and signaling.

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)

Lymphoid tissue associated with mucosal areas, key in immune function.

Mucus

Viscous fluid produced by epithelial cells that traps pathogens and protects mucosal surfaces.

Multiple myeloma cells

Cancerous cells that produce large amounts of a specific type of antibody.

Natural Killer T (NKT) Cells

A subset of T cells that recognize lipid antigens and produce cytokines.

Opsonization

The process by which bacteria are marked for ingestion and destruction by phagocytes.

Overly active/misdirected immune responses

Immune reactions that result in allergies, asthma, or autoimmune diseases.

Pattern Recognition Receptors

Receptors in the innate immune system that identify specific pathogen-associated molecular patterns.

Precipitation

A reaction that occurs when soluble substances form a solid precipitate.

Recombination signal sequences (RSS)

Sequences that flank gene segments and are involved in the assembly of V regions.

Recombination activating gene-1 and -2 (RAG-1 and RAG-2)

Enzymes that recognize RSS and facilitate DNA cleavage.

Sepsis

A systemic response to infection characterized by the overwhelming release of cytokines.

Serum

The liquid portion of blood that remains after cellular components have been removed.

Somatic hypermutation

A process that introduces mutations into antibody genes to enhance their affinity for antigens.

Spleen red pulp

The area of the spleen that removes old red blood cells and recycles iron.

Spleen white pulp

The lymphoid tissue in the spleen that functions like lymph nodes for leukocyte interaction.

Immunological synapse

space between APC and T cell where signalling molecules are with central supramolecular activation complex (cSMAC) that is the TCR/MHC complex while adhesion molecules/bound ligands peripherally localize to format the peripheral supramolecular activation complex (pSMAC)

lipid rafts

TCR ligand binding leads to noncovalently associations (oligomerization) on the membrane surface and move into specialized regions of the lymphocyte membrane, they accumulate receptors and coreceptors rendering them susceptible to the action of enzymes associated with those rafts (lyn in BCRs and Lck in TCRS initiate the signalling cascade)

Polarizing cytokines

produced by a variety of cell types including APCs, T cells, and innate lymphoid cells, and play a central role in determining what types of effector cells naive T cells will become