| PF | pair feeding; peak flow; perfusion fluid; pericardial fluid; periosteal fibroblast; peritoneal fluid... |
|---|---|
| RAS | rapid atrial stimulation; recurrent aphthous stomatitis; reflex activating stimulus; reliability, av... |
| SF | Sabin-Feldman [test]; safety factor; salt-free; scarlet fever; screen film; seminal fluid; serosal f... |
| TF | free thyroxine; tactile fremitus; tail flick [reflex]; temperature factor; testicular feminization; ... |
| PM | after death (Lat. post mortem); after noon [Lat. post meridiem]; mean pressure; pacemaker; pantomogr... |
| macrophage | Relatively long lived phagocytic cell of mammalian tissues, derived from blood monocyte. Macrophages from different sites have distinctly different properties. Main types are peritoneal and alveolar macrophages, tissue macrophages (histiocytes), Kupffer cells of the liver and osteoclasts. In response to foreign materials may become stimulated or activated. Macrophages play an important role in killing of some bacteria, protozoa and tumour cells, release substances that stimulate other cells of the immune system and are involved in antigen presentation. May further differentiate within chronic inflammatory lesions to epithelioid cells or may fuse to form foreign body giant cells or Langhans giant cells. (18 Nov 1997) |
|---|---|
| macrophage-1 antigen | An adhesion-promoting leukocyte surface membrane heterodimer. The alpha subunit consists of the CD11b antigen and the beta subunit of the CD18 antigen (antigens, CD18). The antigen, which is an integrin, functions both as a receptor for complement 3 and in cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesive interactions. (12 Dec 1998) |
| macrophage activation | The process of altering the morphology and functional activity of macrophages so that they become avidly phagocytic. It is initiated by lymphokines, such as the macrophage activation factor (maf) and the macrophage migration-inhibitory factor (mmif), immune complexes, c3b, and various peptides, polysaccharides, and immunologic adjuvants. (12 Dec 1998) |
| macrophage inflammatory protein | <cytokine> A chemokine that is chemotactic for neutrophils and monocytes, stimulates macrophages, and may play a role in regulating haematopoiesis. Its two variants, mip-1alpha and mip-1beta, are 60% homologous to each other. They are heparin-binding proteins that exhibit a number of inflammatory and immunoregulatory activities. Originally identified as secretory products of macrophages, these chemokines are produced by a variety of cell types including neutrophils, fibroblasts, and epithelial cells. They most likely also play a significant role in respiratory tract defenses. (20 Sep 2002) |
| macrophage migration inhibition test | A test which measures the presence of migration-inhibitory factor. Usually peritoneal macrophages are placed in a capillary tube in the presence or absence of supernatants from activated T-cells. If MIF is present, the migration of monocyte/macrophages is reduced. Synonym: macrophage migration inhibition test, migration inhibition test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| macrophage migration-inhibitory factors | Proteins released by sensitised lymphocytes and possibly other cells that inhibit the migration of macrophages away from the release site. The structure and chemical properties may vary with the species and type of releasing cell. (12 Dec 1998) |
| chemotactic factors, macrophage | Cytotaxins liberated from normal or invading cells that specifically attract macrophages. They may be lymphokines, products of antigen, antibody and complement interactions or other. (12 Dec 1998) |
| wandering macrophage | <haematology> A macrophage that leaves the blood and migrates to infected tissue. (09 Oct 1997) |
| Hansemann macrophage | Large histiocytes with abundant cytoplasm that may contain Michaelis-Gutmann bodies and one or several nuclei; described in lesions of malacoplakia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| inflammatory macrophage | A macrophage found at sites of inflammation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fixed macrophage | A relatively immotile macrophage found in connective tissue, lymph nodes, spleen, and bone marrow. Synonym: resting wandering cell. (05 Mar 2000) |
| free macrophage | An actively motile macrophage typically found in sites of inflammation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| accelerator factor | <chemical> Heat- and storage-labile plasma glycoprotein which accelerates the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin in blood coagulation. Factor v accomplishes this by forming a complex with factor xa, phospholipid, and calcium (prothrombinase complex). Deficiency of factor v leads to owren's disease. Chemical name: Blood-coagulation factor V (12 Dec 1998) |
| acetate replacement factor | <biochemistry> 1,2 dithiolane 3 valeric acid. Regarded as a coenzyme in the oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex of the citric acid cycle. Involved generally in oxidative decarboxylations of _ keto acids. A growth factor for some organisms. (18 Nov 1997) |
| adrenal weight factor | A postulated substance of adenohypophysial origin responsible for maintenance of the weight of the adrenal cortex. (05 Mar 2000) |