| immune precipitation | <immunology> The precipitation of a multivalent antigen by a bivalent antibody, resulting in the formation of a large complex. The antibody and antigen must be soluble. Precipitation usually occurs when there is near equivalence between antibody and antigen concentrations. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| immune protein | An immunoglobulin molecule that has a specific amino acid sequence by virtue of which it interacts only with the antigen that induced its synthesis in cells of the lymphoid series (especially plasma cells) or with antigen closely related to it. Antibodies are classified according to their ode of action as agglutinins, bacteriolysins, haemolysins, opsonins, precipitins, etc. (18 Nov 1997) |
| immune reaction | Antigen-antibody reaction indicating a certain degree of resistance, usually in reference to the 36-to 48-hour reaction in vaccination against smallpox; because the degree of resistance indicated by the reaction is not true immunity and may disappear relatively rapidly there is a tendency to refer to the immune reaction as an allergic reaction. (05 Mar 2000) |
| immune response | <immunology> Alteration in the reactivity of an organisms immune system in response to an antigen, in vertebrates, this may involve antibody production, induction of cell-mediated immunity, complement activation or development of immunological tolerance. (18 Nov 1997) |
| immune-response gene | <molecular biology> Any of several genes of the major histocompatibility complex that control the immune response of lymphocytes to specific antigens. (09 Oct 1997) |
| immune response genes | Gene's in the HLA-D region of the histocompatibility complex of human chromosome 6 which control the immune response to specific antigens. (05 Mar 2000) |
| immune sera | Serum that contains antibodies. It is obtained from an animal that has been immunised either by antigen injection or infection with microorganisms containing the antigen. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immune serum | Blood serum containing antibodies. (14 Nov 1997) |
| immune serum globulin | A sterile solution of globulin's that contains many antibodies normally present in adult human blood; a passive immunizing agent frequently used for prophylaxis against hepatitis A. (05 Mar 2000) |
| immune suppression | Suppression of the immune response by some compound or agent. (05 Mar 2000) |
| immune surveillance | <immunology> The hypothesis that lymphocyte traffic ensures that all or nearly all parts of the vertebrate body are surveyed by visiting lymphocytes in order to detect any altered self material, for example mutant cells. (18 Nov 1997) |
| immune system | <immunology> The body system, made up of many organs and cells, that defends the body against infection, disease and foreign substances. The immune system is often stimulated in specific ways to fight cancer cells. (16 Dec 1997) |
| immune thrombocytopenia | Thrombocytopenia associated with antiplatelet antibodies. See: isoimmune neonatal thrombocytopenia, autoimmune neonatal thrombocytopenia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| immune thrombocytopenic purpura | <haematology> A low number of platelets in the blood, which is common in people with HIV, but often resolves as immune deficiency worsens. HIV-related ITP usually does not have serious consequences. Its cause has not been definitely determined. Treatment with AZT frequently alleviates the condition. (09 Oct 1997) |
| immune tolerance | The specific failure of a normally responsive individual to make an immune response to a known antigen. It results from previous contact with the antigen by an immunologically immature individual (foetus or neonate) or by an adult exposed to extreme high-dose or low-dose antigen, or by exposure to radiation, antimetabolites, antilymphocytic serum, etc. (12 Dec 1998) |