Term
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Definition
A nonspecific immunostimulant that enhances overall
immune function, rather than stimulating the function of
a specific immune system cell or cytokine through specific
chemical reactions. |
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Term
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Definition
Immunoglobulin molecules (see Chapter 49) that
have the ability to bind to and inactivate antigen molecules
through formation of an antigen-antibody complex. This
process serves to inactivate foreign antigens that enter the
body and are capable of causing disease. |
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Term
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Definition
A biologic or chemical substance that is recognized as
foreign by the body’s immune system. |
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Term
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Definition
| Inflammation of one or more joints. |
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Term
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Definition
| A disorder that occurs when the body’s tissues are attacked by its own immune system. |
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Term
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Definition
| Leukocytes of the humoral immune system that develop into plasma cells, and then produce the antibodies that bind to and inactivate antigens. B cells are one of the two principal types of lymphocytes; T lymphocytes are the other. |
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Term
| Biologic response–modifying drugs |
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Definition
A broad class of drugs that includes hematopoietic drugs and immunomodulating drugs. Often referred to as biologic response modifiers (BRMs), they alter the body’s response to diseases such as cancer as well as autoimmune, inflammatory, and infectious diseases. Examples are cytokines (e.g., interleukin, interferons), monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines. They are also called biomodulators or immunomodulating drugs. Biologic
response–modifying drugs may be adjuvants, immunostimulants, or immunosuppressants. |
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Term
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Definition
| Collective term for all immune responses that are mediated by T lymphocytes (T cells). Also called cellular immunity. Cell-mediated immunity acts in collaboration with humoral immunity. |
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Term
| Colony-stimulating factors |
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Definition
| Cytokines that regulate the growth, differentiation, and function of bone marrow stem cells. |
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Term
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Definition
Collective term for about 20 different proteins
normally present in plasma that assist other immune system
components (e.g., B cells and T cells) in mounting an
immune response. |
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Term
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Definition
The generic term for nonantibody proteins released
by specific cell populations (e.g., activated T cells) on contact
with antigens. Cytokines act as intercellular mediators of an
immune response. |
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Term
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Definition
Differentiated T cells that can recognize and lyse (rupture) target cells that have foreign antigens on
their surfaces. These antigens are recognized by the corresponding antigen receptors that are expressed (displayed) on the cytotoxic T-cell surface. Also called natural killer cells. |
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Term
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Definition
The process of cellular development from
a simplified into a more specialized cellular structure. In
hematopoiesis, it refers to the multistep processes involved
in the maturation of blood cells. |
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Term
| Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) |
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Definition
Medications used in the treatment of rheumatic diseases that have the potential to arrest or slow the actual disease process
instead of providing only antiinflammatory and analgesic
effects. |
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Term
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Definition
Collective term for all of the body’s processes
originating in the bone marrow that result in the formation
of various types of blood components (adjective: hematopoietic). It includes the three main processes of differentiation (see earlier): erythropoiesis (formation of red blood cells, or erythrocytes), leukopoiesis (formation of white blood cells, or leukocytes), and thrombopoiesis (formation of platelets, or thrombocytes). |
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Term
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Definition
Collective term for all immune responses
that are mediated by B cells, which ultimately work through
the production of antibodies against specific antigens.
Humoral immunity acts in collaboration with cell-mediated
immunity. |
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Term
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Definition
| Complex immune system glycoproteins that bind to and inactivate foreign antigens. The term is synonymous with immune globulins. |
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Term
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Definition
| Collective term for various subclasses of biologic response–modifying drugs that specifically or nonspecifically enhance or reduce immune responses. The three major types of immunomodulators, based on mechanism of action, are adjuvants, immunostimulants, and immunosuppressants (see Chapter 48). |
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Term
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Definition
A drug that enhances immune response
through specific chemical interactions with particular
immune system components. An example is interleukin-2. |
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Term
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Definition
| A drug that reduces immune response through specific chemical interactions with particular immune system components. An example is cyclosporine (see Chapter 48). |
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Term
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Definition
One type of cytokine that promotes resistance to
viral infection in uninfected cells and can also strengthen the
body’s immune response to cancer cells. |
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Term
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Definition
The collective term for all subtypes of white blood
cells. Leukocytes include the granulocytes (neutrophils,
eosinophils, and basophils), monocytes, and lymphocytes (B
cells and T cells). Some monocytes also develop into tissue
macrophages. |
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Term
| Lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell |
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Definition
| Cytotoxic T cells that have been activated by interkeukin-2 and therefore have a stronger and more specific response against cancer cells. |
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Term
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Definition
Cytokines that are produced by sensitized T
lymphocytes on contact with antigen particles. |
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Term
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Definition
Cells involved in the humoral immune system
that remember the exact characteristics of a particular
foreign invader or antigen for the purpose of expediting
immune response in the event of future exposure to this
antigen. |
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Term
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Definition
Denoting a group of identical cells or organisms
derived from a single cell. |
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Term
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Definition
Cells derived from B cells that are found in the
bone marrow, connective tissue, and blood. They produce
antibodies. |
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Term
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Definition
General term for any of several disorders characterized
by inflammation, degeneration, or metabolic
derangement of connective tissue structures, especially joints
and related structures. |
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Term
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Definition
Cells that promote and direct the actions of various
other cells of the immune system. |
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Term
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Definition
| Leukocytes of the cell-mediated immune system. Unlike B cells, they are not involved in the production of antibodies but instead occur in various cell subtypes (e.g., T helper cells, T suppressor cells, and cytotoxic T cells). They act through direct cell-to-cell contact or through production of cytokines that guide the functions of other immune system components (e.g., B cells, antibodies). |
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Term
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Definition
Cells that regulate and limit the immune
response, balancing the effects of T helper cells. |
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Term
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Definition
Chemical compounds expressed on the surfaces
of tumor cells. They signal to the immune system that
these cells do not belong in the body, labeling the tumor cells
as foreign. |
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