| chimeric/humanised antibody | <immunology> Genetically engineered combination of a human and mouse antibody. Because a monoclonal antibody is always made with mice cells, it causes an immune response when injected into humans. By replacing the constant regions of a mouse antibody with those of a human antibody, an antibody that binds to an antigen like the original monoclonal antibody, but which is recognised by the human immune system like a human protein, can be manufactured. Alternatively, only those amino acids directly involved in antigen binding are transferred from the mouse antibody into the framework of the human antibody, with a similar result. (05 Jan 1998) |
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| microsomal antibody | This special serologic test is used to measure thyroid anti-microsomal antibody in the bloodstream. This test can be performed from a simple venipuncture specimen. The anti-microsomal antibody or microsomal antibody test is used to diagnose conditions such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis and other autoimmune disorders. (27 Sep 1997) |
| warm antibody | <haematology, immunology> most IgG antibodies react better at 37쵣 than at lower temperatures, especially against red cell antigens. These are the warm antibodies as contrasted with cold agglutinins, especially IgM, that agglutinate below 28쵣. (18 Nov 1997) |
| Wassermann antibody | Antibody, evoked during syphilitic infections, that combines with cardiolipin in the presence of lecithin and cholesterol; it is distinct from the treponema-immobilizing antibody. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cold antibody | See: cold agglutinin. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cold-reactive antibody | See: cold agglutinin. (05 Mar 2000) |
| monoclonal antibody | <immunology, molecular biology> A substance, usually a protein, which can be synthsised in the laboratory in pure form by a single clone (population) of cells. These antibodies can be made in large quantities and have a specific affinity for certain target molecules called antigens which can be found on the surface of cells and those that are malignant. Monoclonal antibodies are currently being investigated as a possible form of cancer treatment although their benefit has not be fully proven. (16 Dec 1997) |
| complement-fixing antibody | Antibody that combines with and sensitises antigen leading to the activation of complement, which may result in cell lysis. Synonym: CF antibody, sensitizing substance. (05 Mar 2000) |
| complete antibody | An antibody which causes agglutination of erythrocytes when they are suspended either in saline or in a protein medium. (05 Mar 2000) |
| polyclonal antibody | An antibody produced by several clones of B lymphocytes as would be the case in a whole animal. Usually refers to antibodies raised in immunised animals, whereas a monoclonal antibody is the product of a single clone of B lymphocytes, usually maintained in vitro. (18 Nov 1997) |
| cross-reacting antibody | <immunology> Antibody specific for group antigens, i.e., those with identical functional groups, antibody for antigens that have functional groups of closely similar, but not identical, chemical structure. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cross-reactive antibody | <haematology, immunology> Antibodies which don't respond to any one specific antigen, but will respond to a number of them. These antibodies can be responsible for false positive results in antigen-antibody tests. (09 Oct 1997) |
| Prausnitz-Kustner antibody | One of the IgE class of antibody's first demonstrated by Prausnitz and Kustner by passive transfer to the skin. See: homocytotropic antibody. Synonym: atopic reagin. (05 Mar 2000) |
| precipitating antibody | <protein> Any antibody that forms a precipitating complex (a precipitin line) with an appropriate multivalent antigen. The term is now outmoded. (18 Nov 1997) |
| cytophilic antibody | Antibody that has an affinity for certain kinds of cells, in addition to and unrelated to its specific affinity for the antigen that induced it, because of the properties of the Fc portion of the heavy chain. See: heterocytotropic antibody, homocytotropic antibody, cytotropic antibody test. Synonym: anaphylactic antibody, cytophilic antibody. (05 Mar 2000) |