| endothelio-endothelial placenta | A placenta in which the endothelium of the maternal vessels comes in direct contact with the endothelium of the foetal vessels to form the placental barrier. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| fuchs' endothelial dystrophy | Disorder caused by loss of endothelium of the central cornea. It is characterised by hyaline endothelial outgrowths on descemet's membrane, epithelial blisters, reduced vision, and pain. (12 Dec 1998) |
| B-cell differentiation/growth factors | Various substances, usually obtained from the supernatant of T-cell cultures, such as interleukin 4, 5, and 6. These substances are necessary for B-cell growth, maturation, and differentiation into plasma cells or B memory cells. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cell growth | <cell biology> Usually used to mean increase in the size of a population of cells though strictly should be reserved for an increase in cytoplasmic volume of an individual cell. (26 Mar 1998) |
| haematopoietic cell growth factors | These growth factors comprise a family of haematopoietic regulators with biological specificities defined by their ability to support proliferation and differentiation of blood cells of different lineages. Erythropoietin and the colony-stimulating factors belong to this family. Some of these factors have been studied and used in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and bone marrow failure syndromes. (12 Dec 1998) |
| stem cell growth factors | <growth factor> Compounds, usually proteins, that make stem cells grow faster. (26 Mar 1998) |
| B-cell differentiating factor | <cytokine> A soluble cytokine factor produced by activated T-lymphocytes that promotes antibody production by causing proliferation and differentiation of B-cells. Interleukin-4 induces the expression of class II major histocompatibility complex and fc receptors on B-cells. It also acts on T-lymphocytes, mast cell lines, and several other haematopoietic lineage cells including granulocyte, megakaryocyte, and erythroid precursors, as well as macrophages. Acronym: IL-4 (12 Dec 1998) |
| B-cell stimulatory factor 2 | <cytokine> A cytokine that stimulates the growth and differentiation of human B-cells and is also a growth factor for hybridomas and plasmacytomas. It is produced by many different cells including T-cells, monocytes, and fibroblasts. A single chain 25 kD cytokine originally described as a pre B-cell growth factor, now known to have effects on a number of other cells including T-cells which are also stimulated to proliferate. An inducer of acute phase proteins and a colony-stimulating factor acting on mouse bone marrow. Acronym: IL-6 (12 Dec 1998) |
| natural killer cell stimulating factor | <cytokine> A 75 kD heterodimeric cytokine composed of disulfide-bonded 40 kD and 35 kD subunits that was originally identified by its ability to induce cytotoxic effector cells in synergy with less than optimal concentrations of interleukin-2. It is released by macrophages in response to infection and promotes the activation of cell-mediated immunity. Specifically, IL-12 triggers the maturation of Thl CD4 cells, specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses and an increase in the activity of NK cells and consequently, it is the initiator of cell-mediated immunity. It enhances the lytic activity of NK cells, induces interferon production, stimulates the proliferation of activated T-cells and NK cells. Is secreted by human B lymphoblastoid cells (NC 37). May play a role in controlling immunoglobulin isotype selection as it also inhibits IgE synthesis (even in the presence of anti-IFN monoclonal antibody) and as a growth factor for activated CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells independently of interleukin-2, and for CD56+ NK cells but not resting peripheral blood mononuclear cells or resting or activated tonsillar B-cells. It is likely that interleukin 12 has a major role in protective immunity against viruses and is under study as an immunotherapy in HIV infection. Formerly referred to as cytotoxic lymphocyte maturation factor. Acronym: IL-12 (12 Dec 1998) |
| stem cell factor | <growth factor> Haemopoietic growth factor 18.6 kD from sequence, found as dimer (35 kD protein, 53 kD in its glycosylated form). Acronym: SCF (18 Nov 1997) |
| T-cell-rich, B-cell lymphoma | <tumour> A B-cell lymphoma in which more than 90% of the cells are of T-cell origin, masking the large cells that form the neoplastic B-cell component. See: adult T-cell lymphoma. (05 Mar 2000) |
| accretionary growth | Growth by an increase of intercellular material. (05 Mar 2000) |
| appositional growth | Growth accomplished by the addition of new layers on those previously formed; e.g., the addition of lamellae in the formation of bone; it is the characteristic method of growth when rigid materials are involved. (05 Mar 2000) |
| auxetic growth | Growth by increase in the size of component cells. Synonym: intussusceptive growth. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bacterial growth | Growth of a bacterial culture either by increase in cell material or cell number. (05 Mar 2000) |