Immune System Glossary

In reading about diseases related to the immune system (Read about "The Immune System"), such as AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc, you may come across a number of unfamiliar terms. (Read about "HIV / AIDS" "Rheumatoid Arthritis" "Lupus") This glossary, adapted from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health, can help you decipher some of them. For additional questions about what these terms might mean in your individual case, of course, ask your doctor.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS):

A life-threatening disease caused by a virus and characterized by breakdown of the body's immune defenses. (Read about "HIV / AIDS")

Active immunity:

Immunity produced by the body in response to stimulation by a disease-causing organism or a vaccine.

Agammaglobulinemia:

An almost total lack of immunoglobulins or antibodies.

Allergen:

Any substance that causes an allergy.

Allergy:

An inappropriate and harmful response of the immune system to normally harmless substances. (Read about "Allergies")

Anaphylactic shock:

A life-threatening allergic reaction characterized by a swelling of body tissues including the throat, difficulty in breathing, and a sudden fall in blood pressure. (Read about anaphylactic shock in "Anaphylaxis")

Anergy:

A state of unresponsiveness, induced when the T cell's antigen receptor is stimulated, that effectively freezes T cell responses pending a "second signal" (co-stimulation) from the antigen-presenting cell.

Antibody:

A soluble protein molecule produced and secreted by B cells in response to an antigen, which is capable of binding to that specific antigen.

Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC):

An immune response in which an antibody, by coating target cells, makes them vulnerable to attack by immune cells.

Antigen:

Any substance that, when introduced into the body, is recognized by the immune system.

Antigen-presenting cells:

B cells, cells of the monocyte lineage (including macrophages as well as dendritic cells), and various other body cells that "present" antigen in a form that T cells can recognize.

Antinuclear antibody (ANA):

An autoantibody directed against a substance in the cell's nucleus.

Antiserum:

Serum that contains antibodies.

Antitoxins:

Antibodies that interlock with and inactivate toxins produced by certain bacteria. (Read about "Microorganisms")

Appendix:

Lymphoid organ in the intestine. (Read about "Appendicitis")

Attenuated:

Weakened - no longer infectious.

Autoantibody:

An antibody that reacts against a person's own tissue.

Autoimmune disease:

A disease that results when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus are autoimmune diseases. (Read about "Rheumatoid Arthritis" "Lupus")

Bacterium:

A microscopic organism composed of a single cell. Many but not all bacteria cause disease. (Read about "Microorganisms")

Basophil:

A white blood cell that contributes to inflammatory reactions. Along with mast cells, basophils are responsible for the symptoms of allergy. (Read about "Allergies")

B cells:

Small white blood cells crucial to the immune defenses. Also known as B lymphocytes (Read about "The Lymph System"), they are derived from bone marrow and develop into plasma cells that are the source of antibodies.

Biological response modifiers:

Substances, either natural or synthesized, that boost, direct or restore normal immune defenses. BRMs include interferons, interleukins, thymus hormones and monoclonal antibodies.

Biotechnology:

The use of living organisms or their products to make or modify a substance. Biotechnology includes recombinant DNA techniques (genetic engineering) and hybridoma technology.

Bone marrow:

Soft tissue located in the cavities of the bones. The bone marrow is the source of all blood cells.

Cellular immunity:

Immune protection provided by the direct action of immune cells (as distinct from soluble molecules such as antibodies).

Chromosomes:

Physical structures in the cell's nucleus that house the genes. Each human cell has 23 pairs of chromosomes. (Read about "Genetics")

Clone:

A group of genetically identical cells or organisms descended from a single common ancestor; (v.) to reproduce multiple identical copies. (Read about "Genetics")

Complement:

A complex series of blood proteins whose action "complements" the work of antibodies. Complement destroys bacteria, produces inflammation and regulates immune reactions. (Read about "Microorganisms")

Complement cascade:

A precise sequence of events usually triggered by an antigen-antibody complex, in which each component of the complement system is activated in turn.

Constant region:

That part of an antibody's structure that is characteristic for each antibody class.

Co-Stimulation:

The delivery of a second signal from an antigen-presenting cell to a T cell. The second signal rescues the activated T cell from anergy, allowing it to produce the lymphokines necessary for the growth of additional T cells.

Cytokines:

Powerful chemical substances secreted by cells. Cytokines include lymphokines produced by lymphocytes (Read about "The Lymph System") and monokines produced by monocytes and macrophages.

Cytotoxic T cells:

A subset of T lymphocytes (Read about "The Lymph System") that can kill body cells infected by viruses or transformed by cancer.

Dendritic cells:

White blood cells found in the spleen and other lymphoid organs. Dendritic cells typically use threadlike tentacles to enmesh antigen, which they present to T cells.

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid):

Nucleic acid that is found in the cell nucleus and that is the carrier of genetic information. (Read about "Genetics")

Enzyme:

A protein, produced by living cells, that promotes the chemical processes of life without itself being altered.

Eosinophil:

A white blood cell that contains granules filled with chemicals damaging to parasites, and enzymes that damp down inflammatory reactions.

Epitope:

A unique shape or marker carried on an antigen's surface, which triggers a corresponding antibody response.

Fungus:

Member of a class of relatively primitive vegetable organism. Fungi include mushrooms, yeasts, rusts, molds, and smuts. (Read about "Microorganisms" "Vaginal Yeast Infections" "Tinea: Ringworm, Jock Itch and Athlete's Foot")

Gene:

A unit of genetic material (DNA) that carries the directions a cell uses to perform a specific function, such as making a given protein. (Read about "Genetics")

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD):

A life-threatening reaction in which transplanted immunocompetent cells attack the tissues of the recipient. (Read about "Transplants")

Granulocytes:

White blood cells filled with granules containing potent chemicals that allow the cells to digest microorganisms (Read about "Microorganisms"), or to produce inflammatory reactions. Neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils are examples of granulocytes.

Helper T cells:

A subset of T cells that typically carry the T4 marker and are essential for turning on antibody production, activating cytotoxic T cells, and initiating many other immune responses.

Hematopoiesis:

The formation and development of blood cells, usually takes place in the bone marrow.

Histocompatibility testing:

A method of matching the self antigens (HLA) on the tissues of a transplant donor with those of the recipient. The closer the match, the better the chance that the transplant will take. (Read about "Transplants")

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus):

The virus that causes AIDS. (Read about "HIV / AIDS")

HPV (human papilloma virus):

The virus that sometimes causes genital and/or skin warts (Read about "Warts"), but can also infect people without causing noticeable symptoms. Scientists have identified more than 100 types of HPV. Certain types of HPV are also linked with a higher risk of cervical cancer. (Read about "Cervical Cancer")

Human leukocyte antigens (HLA):

Protein in markers of self used in histocompatibility testing. Some HLA types also correlate with certain autoimmune diseases.

Humoral immunity:

Immune protection provided by soluble factors such as antibodies, which circulate in the body's fluids or "humors," primarily serum and lymph. (Read about "The Lymph System")

Hybridoma:

A hybrid cell created by fusing a B lymphocyte (Read about "The Lymph System") with a long-lived neoplastic plasma cell, or a T lymphocyte with a lymphoma cell. A B-cell hybridoma secretes a single specific antibody.

Hypogammaglobulinemia:

Abnormally low levels of immunoglobulins.

Idiotypes:

The unique and characteristic parts of an antibody's variable region, which can themselves serve as antigens.

Immune complex:

A cluster of interlocking antigens and antibodies.

Immune response:

The reactions of the immune system to foreign substances.

Immunoassay:

A laboratory test using antibodies to identify and quantify substances. Often the antibody is linked to a marker such as a fluorescent molecule, a radioactive molecule or an enzyme.

Immunocompetent:

Capable of developing an immune response.

Immunoglobulins:

A family of large protein molecules, also known as antibodies.

Immunosuppression:

Reduction of the immune responses, for instance by giving drugs to prevent transplant rejection. (Read about "Transplants")

Immunotoxin:

A monoclonal antibody linked to a natural toxin, a toxic drug or a radioactive substance.

Inflammatory response:

Redness, warmth, swelling, pain and loss of function produced in response to infection, as the result of increased flood flow and an influx of immune cells and secretions.

Interleukins:

A major group of lymphokines and monokines.

Kupffer cells:

Specialized macrophages in the liver.

LAK cells:

Lymphocytes transformed in the laboratory into lymphokine-activated killer cells, which attack tumor cells.

Langerhans cells:

Dendritic cells in the skin that pick up antigen and transport it to lymph nodes. (Read about "The Lymph System")

Leukocytes:

All white blood cells.

Lymph:

A transparent, slightly yellow fluid that carries lymphocytes, bathes the body tissues, and drains into the lymphatic vessels. (Read about "The Lymph System")

Lymphatic vessels:

A body wide network of channels, similar to the blood vessels, which transport lymph to the immune organs and into the bloodstream. (Read about "The Lymph System")

Lymph nodes:

Small bean-shaped organs of the immune system distributed widely throughout the body and linked by lymphatic vessels. Lymph nodes are garrisons of B, T and other immune cells. (Read about "The Lymph System")

Lymphocytes:

Small white blood cells produced in the lymphoid organs and paramount in the immune defenses. (Read about "The Lymph System")

Lymphoid organs:

The organs of the immune system, where lymphocytes develop and congregate. They include the bone marrow, thymus, lymph nodes, spleen (Read about "The Spleen"), and various other clusters of lymphoid tissue. The blood vessels and lymphatic vessels can also be considered lymphoid organs. (Read about "The Lymph System")

Lymphokines:

Powerful chemical substances secreted by lymphocytes. These soluble molecules help direct and regulate the immune responses.

Macrophage:

A large and versatile immune cell that acts as a microbe-devouring phagocyte, an antigen-presenting cell and an important source of immune secretions.

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC):

A group of genes that controls several aspects of the immune response. MHC genes code for self markers on all body cells.

Mast cell:

A granule-containing cell found in tissue. The contents of mast cells, along with those of basophils, are responsible for the symptoms of allergy. (Read about "Allergies")

Microbes:

Minute living organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. (Read about "Microorganisms")

Microorganisms:

Microscopic plants or animals.

Molecule:

The smallest amount of a specific chemical substance that can exist alone. (The break a molecule down into its constituent atoms is to change its character. A molecule of water, for instance, reverts to oxygen and hydrogen.)

Monoclonal antibodies:

Antibodies produced by a single cell or its identical progeny, specific for a given antigen. As a tool for binding to specific protein molecules, monoclonal antibodies are invaluable in research, medicine and industry.

Monocyte:

A large phagocytic white blood cell, which when it enters tissue, develops into a macrophage.

Monokines:

Powerful chemical substances secreted by monocytes and macrophages. These soluble molecules help direct and regulate the immune responses.

Natural killer (NK) cells:

Large granule-filled lymphocytes (Read about "The Lymph System") that take on tumor cells and infected body cells. They are known as "natural" killers because they attack without first having to recognize specific antigens.

Neutrophil:

A white blood cell that is an abundant and important phagocyte.

Nucleic acids:

Large, naturally occurring molecules composed of chemical building blocks known as nucleotides. There are two kinds of nucleic acids, DNA and RNA.

OKT3:

A monoclonal antibody that targets mature T cells.

Opportunistic infection:

An infection in an immunosuppressed person caused by an organism that does not usually trouble people with healthy immune systems. (Read about "Microorganisms")

Opsonize:

To coat an organism with antibodies or a complement protein so as to make it palatable to phagocytes.

Organism:

An individual living thing.

Parasite:

A plant or animal that lives, grows and feeds on or within another living organism.

Passive immunity:

Immunity resulting from the transfer of antibodies or antiserum produced by another individual.

Peyer's patches:

A collection of lymphoid tissues in the intestinal tract.

Phagocytes:

Large white blood cells that contribute to the immune defenses by ingesting microbes or other cells and foreign particles.

Plasma cells:

Large antibody-producing cells that develop from B cells.

Platelets:

Granule-containing cellular fragments critical for blood clotting and sealing off wounds. Platelets also contribute to the immune response. (Read about "Bleeding Disorders")

Polymorphs:

Short for polymorphonuclear leukocytes or granulocytes.

Proteins:

Organic compounds made up of amino acids. Proteins are one of the major constituents of plant and animal cells.

Protozoa:

A group of one-celled animals, a few of which cause human disease, including malaria and sleeping sickness. (Read about "Microorganisms")

Rheumatoid factor:

An autoantibody found in the serum of most persons with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid factor may also be present in other conditions. (Read about "Rheumatoid Arthritis")

RNA (ribonucleic acid):

A nucleic acid that is found in the cytoplasm and also in the nucleus of some cells. One function of RNA is to direct the synthesis of proteins.

Scavenger cells:

Any of a diverse group of cells that have the capacity to engulf and destroy foreign material, dead tissue or other cells.

SCID mouse:

A laboratory animal that, lacking an enzyme necessary to fashion an immune system of its own, can be turned into a model of the human immune system when injected with human cells or tissues.

Serum:

The clear liquid that separates from the blood when it is allowed to clot. This fluid retains any antibodies that were present in the whole blood.

Severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID):

A life-threatening condition in which infants are born lacking all major immune defenses. (Read about SCID in "Primary Immunodeficiency")

Spleen:

A lymphoid organ in the abdominal cavity that is an important center for immune system activities. (Read about "The Spleen")

Stem cells:

Cells from which all blood cells derive. The bone marrow is rich in stem cells.

Subunit vaccine:

A vaccine that uses merely one component of an infectious agent, rather than the whole, to stimulate an immune response.

Superantigens:

A class of antigens, including certain bacterial toxins, that unleash a massive and damaging immune response.

Suppressor T cells:

A subset of T cells that turn off antibody production and other immune responses.

T cells:

Small white blood cells that orchestrate and/or directly participate in the immune defenses. Also known as T lymphocytes, they are processed in the thymus and secrete lymphokines.

Thymus:

A primary lymphoid organ, high in the chest, where T lymphocytes proliferate and mature.

TIL:

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. These immune cells are extracted from the tumor tissue, treated in laboratory and reinjected into the cancer patient.

Tissue typing:

See histocompatibility testing.

Tolerance:

A state of nonresponsiveness to a particular antigen or group of antigens.

Tonsils and adenoids:

Prominent oval masses of lymphoid tissues on either side of the throat. (Read about "Tonsils and Adenoids")

Toxins:

Agents produced by plants and bacteria (Read about "Microorganisms"), normally very damaging to mammalian cells, that can be delivered directly to target cells by linking them to monoclonal antibodies or lymphokines.

Vaccine:

A substance that contains antigenic components from an infectious organism. By stimulating an immune response (but not disease), it protects against subsequent infection by that organism. (Read about "Microorganisms" "Immunizations")

Variable region:

That part of an antibody's structure that differs from one antibody to another.

Virus:

Submicroscopic microbe that causes infectious disease. Viruses can reproduce only in living cells. (Read about "Microorganisms")

Used with permission of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health.