ANAPHYLATOXIN Meaning and
Definition
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Anaphylatoxins are small proteins that are produced during an allergic reaction or when the immune system is triggered to defend the body against foreign substances. They are part of the complement system, a complex series of proteins that helps initiate and regulate immune responses.
Anaphylatoxins are released when complement proteins are activated, either through the classical pathway (triggered by antibodies binding to foreign substances) or the alternative pathway (triggered by direct contact with pathogens). Once released, these small biologically active molecules can bind to specific receptors on various immune cells, such as mast cells, basophils, neutrophils, eosinophils, and macrophages.
When anaphylatoxins bind to their receptors, they initiate a series of reactions that lead to the activation of these immune cells. In turn, the activated immune cells release a variety of substances, like histamine, cytokines, and enzymes, which contribute to inflammation and the recruitment of additional immune cells to the site of infection or allergic reaction. Furthermore, anaphylatoxins play a role in enhancing the body's ability to detect and eliminate foreign substances.
Although anaphylatoxins are essential components of the immune system, excessive production or activation can lead to harmful effects. For example, excessive release of anaphylatoxins can result in systemic anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Understanding the properties and functions of anaphylatoxins is important for developing therapeutics aimed at modulating immune responses in various diseases, including allergies, autoimmune disorders, and inflammatory conditions.
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The cause of the toxic symptoms in anaphylaxis, believed to be a compound of anaphylactin and the newly introduced protein.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ANAPHYLATOXIN
- znaphylatoxin
- snaphylatoxin
- wnaphylatoxin
- qnaphylatoxin
- abaphylatoxin
- amaphylatoxin
- ajaphylatoxin
- ahaphylatoxin
- anzphylatoxin
- ansphylatoxin
- anwphylatoxin
- anqphylatoxin
- anaohylatoxin
- analhylatoxin
- ana-hylatoxin
- ana0hylatoxin
- anapgylatoxin
- anapbylatoxin
- anapnylatoxin
- anapjylatoxin
Etymology of ANAPHYLATOXIN
The term "anaphylatoxin" is derived from the combination of two words: "anaphylaxis" and "toxin".
The term "anaphylaxis" comes from the Greek words "ana", meaning "against" or "back", and "phylaxis", meaning "protection" or "guarding". It was originally coined by Charles Richet in 1902 to describe a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
The word "toxin" originates from the Greek word "toxikon", referring to a poison or venom. It has been in use since the late 19th century to describe substances that can be harmful or poisonous to living organisms.
Combining these two words, "anaphylatoxin" describes a substance or compound that is produced during anaphylaxis and has toxic effects on the body.
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