antibiotic
substance derived from microorganisms that is used to treat bacterial infections
antimicrobial
An agent that inhibits the growth or kills microorganisms (including viruses)
antiviral
an agent that kills or inhibits the growth of viruses
autoantibodies
Antibodies produced by B cells that mistakenly attack and destroy "self" cells belonging to the patient; autoantibodies are the pathophysiologic agent of most autoimmune disorders
bronchoconstriction
Constriction of bronchial airways, caused by the parasympathetic nervous system, which causes smooth muscle to contract, and increases resistance of airflow.
complement
a series of inactive proteins circulating in the blood; when activated they can destroy bacteria or antigens, or participate in the inflammatory response
cytotoxic
toxic to cells
encephalopathy
Any disease or disorder of the brain
erythema
Intense redness of the skin due to excess blood in dilated superficial capillaries, as in fever or inflammation
glycoprotein
a combination of protein and carbohydrate; identifies the cell to other cells
pruritic
intense itching
stem cells
Non-differentiated immature blood cells found in bone marrow
pluripotent
Stem cells with the potential to differentiate into most any type of cell
thymus
A soft, bilobed gland located in the mediastinum above the heart. . Plays key role in development of the immune system . Major function is maturation of t-lymphocytes, which are processed here after production in bone marrow.
vesicles
Blister, a sac full of water or tissue fluid.
antigen
foreign substance, microbes or component of cell that stimulates immune response
antibodies
specific protein produced in humoral response to bind with antigen
humoral
specific immunity produced by B cells that produce antibodies that circulate in body fluids
lymphatic tissue
contains many lymphocytes; filters body fluids, removes foreign matter; function in immune response
bone marrow
source of stem cells, leukocytes and maturation of B-lymphocytes
neutrophils
WBCs for phagocytosis; nonspecific defense; active in inflammatory response
basophils
WBCs; bind IgE, release histamine in anaphylaxis
eosinophils
WBCs; participates in allergic responses and defense against parasites
monocytes
WBCs; migrate from the blood into tissues to become macrophages
macrophage
WBCs; phagocytosis; processes and presents antigens to lymphocytes for immune response
mast cells
release chemical mediators such as histamines in connective tissue
B lymphocytes
responsible for humoral immunity through the production of antibodies or immunoglobulins. Mature in bone marrow and then migrate to spleen and lymphoid tissues
plasma cells
Mature B cells that produce, store, and release antibodies
T lymphocytes
Lymphocytes that develop in the thymus and are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. Their cell-surface antigen receptor is called the T-cell receptor.
cytotoxic or killer T cells
Destroy antigens, cancer cells, virus-infected cells
memory T cells
long-lived antigen-specific T cells that are activated in secondary and subsequent immune responses to an antigen.
helper T cells
activate B and T cells; controls or limits specific immune response
NK lymphocytes
natural killer cells destroy foreign cells, virus infected cells and cancer cells.
chemical mediators
a chemical released in the body during an inflammatory response or immune response
histamine
A substance released by mast cells and basophils that causes vasodilation and permeability (edema), bronchoconstriction and pruritis in inflammatory and allergic responses.
kinins
causes vasodilation, increased permeability of blood vessels (edema) and pain
prostaglandins
An inflammatory mediator released when a cell is damaged. They cause vasodilation and stimulate inflammation.
leukotrienes
derived from mast cells and basophils and cause contraction of bronchiolar smooth muscle (bronchoconstriction) and have a role in the development of inflammation
cytokine
messengers; produced by macrophages and T lymphocytes and stimulates the activation and proliferation of B and T cells
chemotactic factors
attracts phagocytes towards the inflammation, specifically neutrophils and eosinophils
cell-mediated immunity
Form of acquired immunity; results from activation of T lymphocytes that were previously sensitized to a specific antigen
natural active immunity
acquired through active illness or disease - body produces antibodies and memory cells for later use
natural passive immunity
passage of antibodies from mother to infant; protects the baby for about the first 6 months; a rich source of antibodies
artificial active immunity
Production of one's own antibodies or T cells as a result of vaccination against disease
artificial passive immunity
antibodies injected into a person to provide temporary protection or minimize severity of infection
gammaglobulin
A protein fraction of blood serum containing many antibodies that protect against bacterial and viral infectious diseases.
immunoglobulin
Antibodies (gramma globulins) such as IgA, IgE, IgG, IgM, and IgD that are secreted by plasma cells in response to the presence of an antigen.
interferon
A protein released by infected cells, usually in response to the entry of a virus, that has the property of inhibiting virus replication by attaching to uninfected cells which stimulates the uninfected cell to synthesize another antiviral protein that inh
atopic
Characterized by pruritis and associated with a history of allergies that are of an inherited tendency
immune complex
A combination of antibody and antigen