ANTIGEN MIMICRIES Meaning and
Definition
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Antigen mimicry refers to a phenomenon in immunology where certain molecules or substances mimic the structure or properties of an antigen. Antigens are substances that, when introduced into an organism, can stimulate an immune response, leading to the production of antibodies or the activation of immune cells. In cases of antigen mimicry, however, the immune system is tricked into recognizing the mimicking molecule as an antigen or reacting in a similar manner.
Antigen mimicry can occur in various ways. One common form is molecular mimicry, whereby a foreign molecule closely resembles the structure of a native self-protein or antigen, leading the immune system to mistakenly attack its own tissues. This can result in autoimmune diseases where the immune system incorrectly identifies self-antigens as foreign and launches an immune response against them.
Another type of antigen mimicry involves pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses, imitating host antigens to evade immune detection. By mimicking host molecules, these pathogens can avoid immune surveillance and increase their chances of survival and infection.
Understanding antigen mimicry is crucial in the development of vaccines and therapeutic strategies. By identifying and designing molecules that mimic antigens, scientists can potentially induce specific immune responses against pathogens or target autoimmune reactions. Additionally, studying antigen mimicry can provide insights into the mechanisms of autoimmune disorders and guide the development of targeted therapies to alleviate the damage caused by immune responses gone awry.
Common Misspellings for ANTIGEN MIMICRIES
- zntigen mimicries
- sntigen mimicries
- wntigen mimicries
- qntigen mimicries
- abtigen mimicries
- amtigen mimicries
- ajtigen mimicries
- ahtigen mimicries
- anrigen mimicries
- anfigen mimicries
- angigen mimicries
- anyigen mimicries
- an6igen mimicries
- an5igen mimicries
- antugen mimicries
- antjgen mimicries
- antkgen mimicries
- antogen mimicries
- ant9gen mimicries
- ant8gen mimicries
Etymology of ANTIGEN MIMICRIES
The term "Antigen Mimicries" is a compound term derived from two separate words: "antigen" and "mimicries".
1. Antigen: The word "antigen" stems from the combination of two components - "anti-" meaning "against" or "opposite", and "gen" referring to "generate". The term "antigen" was first coined by Paul Ehrlich, a German immunologist, in the late 19th century. It refers to a substance, typically a protein or carbohydrate, that induces an immune response in an organism by interacting with specific antibodies or T-cell receptors.
2. Mimicries: The word "mimicries" is the plural form of the noun "mimicry", which originates from the verb "mimic".
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