HIV and Immune Response Engineering

These flashcards cover vocabulary related to HIV research, immune response, and therapeutic engineering from the lecture notes.

Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)

A synthetic receptor used to modify T cells to target specific antigens on cancer or virus-infected cells.

CTL (Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte)

A type of immune cell that kills cancer cells and cells infected with viruses.

Type I interferon (IFN-I)

A group of signaling proteins produced by cells in response to viral infection, crucial for the antiviral immune response.

Immunosuppressive tumor environment

A condition where cancer cells promote immune tolerance, making it harder for the immune system to attack tumor cells.

T cell exhaustion

A state in which T cells lose their ability to proliferate and produce cytokines due to chronic exposure to antigens.

Antigen-recognition domain

The part of a CAR that recognizes specific antigens on target cells.

Transgene

A gene that has been transferred from one organism to another, often used in gene therapy.

T cell persistence

The ability of T cells to survive and function over time after their activation.

CRISPR/Cas9

A technology that allows for precise editing of DNA within the genome.

Humanized mouse model

Mice that have been genetically modified to support human immune cells, allowing for studies of human immune responses.

Granzyme B

A serine protease that is released by cytotoxic T cells to induce apoptosis in targeted cells.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART)

Medication used to manage HIV infection by inhibiting the virus's ability to replicate.

HLA restriction

The requirement that T cells recognize foreign antigens presented by specific human leukocyte antigen molecules.