| thyroid binding globulin | <protein> Thyroid binding globulin (TBG) is a plasma protein which binds the majority of thyroid hormone in the bloodstream. Bound thyroid hormone is inactive, only the unbound fraction (0.3%) is considered active. Birth control pills and pregnancy can lead to increased TBG levels in the plasma. Androgens can decrease TBG levels in the plasma. (27 Sep 1997) |
|---|---|
| thyroxine-binding globulin | An alpha-globulin of blood with a strong binding affinity for thyroxine; triiodothyronine is bound to it much less firmly; a deficiency or excess of this protein may occur as a rare benign X-linked disorder. Synonym: thyroxine-binding protein. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cellular immune theory | A concept, put forth by Elie Metchnikoff, that cells, not antibodies, were responsible for the immune response of an organism. (05 Mar 2000) |
| primary immune response | <immunology> The immune response to the first challenge by a particular antigen. Usually less extensive than the secondary immune response, being slower and shorter lived with smaller amounts of lower affinity antibody being produced. (18 Nov 1997) |
| hemic and immune systems | The organs involved in the production and functions of the blood and the cellular and molecular components providing defense against foreign organisms or substances. (12 Dec 1998) |
| secondary immune response | The response of the immune system to the second or subsequent occasion on which it encounters a specific antigen. (18 Nov 1997) |
| humoral immune response | <immunology> Those immune responses mediated by antibody. (06 Mar 1998) |
| immune | <immunology> Protected against, infectious disease by either specific or non-specific mechanisms. Origin: L. Immunis = free, exempt (18 Nov 1997) |
| immune adherence | The binding of antigen-antibody complexes or cells coated with antibodies or complement to cells bearing the appropriate complement or Fc receptors. (05 Mar 2000) |
| immune adherence phenomenon | A phenomenon manifested by the adherence of antigen-antibody-complement complex to "indicator cells" (microorganisms, platelets, leukocytes, or erythrocytes), the reaction being sensitive and specific for the antigen and antibody in the complex. Synonym: erythrocyte adherence phenomenon, immune adherence phenomenon, red cell adherence phenomenon. (05 Mar 2000) |
| immune adherence reaction | A method for the detection of very small quantities of antibody in which the antigen-antibody-complement complex adheres to indicator cells, usually primate erythrocytes or nonprimate blood platelets. The reaction is dependent on the number of bound c3 molecules on the c3b receptor sites of the indicator cell. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immune adhesion test | The diagnostic application of the immune adhesion phenomenon. Synonym: erythrocyte adherence test, immune adhesion test, red cell adherence test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| immune adsorption | Removal of antibody (agglutinin or precipitin) from antiserum by use of specific antigen; after aggregation has occurred, the antigen-antibody complex is separated either by centrifugation or by filtration, removal of antigen by specific antiserum in a similar manner. (05 Mar 2000) |
| immune agglutination | Agglutination caused by antibody (agglutinin) that is specific for the suspended microorganism, cell, or for an antigen that has been coated on a particle of suitable size. (05 Mar 2000) |
| immune agglutinin | 1. An antibody that causes clumping or agglutination of the bacteria or other cells which either stimulated the formation of the agglutinin, or contain immunologically similar, reactive antigen. Synonym: agglutinating antibody, immune agglutinin. 2. A substance, other than a specific agglutinating antibody, that causes organic particles to agglutinate, commonly qualified, e.g., plant agglutinin. (05 Mar 2000) |