CLONAL ANERGY Meaning and
Definition
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Clonal anergy is a term used in immunology to describe a state of inactivation or suppression of a specific group of immune cells known as T lymphocytes or T cells. T cells are a crucial component of the immune system responsible for recognizing and destroying harmful pathogens, such as bacteria or viruses.
In the context of clonal anergy, it refers to a subset of T cells that fail to respond to their specific antigen, which is the molecule that triggers an immune response. This lack of response occurs despite the T cells being exposed to the antigen. Consequently, clonal anergy represents a mechanism through which the immune system can regulate and prevent the activation of T cells that might potentially cause uncontrolled immune reactions.
The process of clonal anergy typically arises due to repeated or continuous stimulation of T cells by an antigen, but without the necessary co-stimulatory signals that normally activate an immune response. As a result, the T cells become unresponsive to subsequent encounters with the antigen. This state of inactivation is characterized by reduced T cell proliferation, cytokine production, and effector functions. The induction of clonal anergy is an important mechanism for maintaining immune tolerance, preventing excessive immune responses, and avoiding autoimmune diseases.
Overall, clonal anergy describes a specific form of immunological tolerance that results in the functional silencing of T cells, ensuring proper regulation and balance in immune responses.
Common Misspellings for CLONAL ANERGY
- xlonal anergy
- vlonal anergy
- flonal anergy
- dlonal anergy
- ckonal anergy
- cponal anergy
- coonal anergy
- clinal anergy
- clknal anergy
- cllnal anergy
- clpnal anergy
- cl0nal anergy
- cl9nal anergy
- clobal anergy
- clomal anergy
- clojal anergy
- clohal anergy
- clonzl anergy
- clonsl anergy
- clonwl anergy
Etymology of CLONAL ANERGY
The term "clonal anergy" has its origins in the field of immunology. It is derived from two main components: "clonal" and "anergy".
1. Clonal: In immunology, "clonal" refers to a group of cells that are derived from a single parent cell through a process called clonal expansion. It implies that these cells are genetically identical and originate from a single precursor.
2. Anergy: "Anergy" comes from the Greek word "anergia", meaning lack of energy. In the context of immunology, anergy refers to a state of immune unresponsiveness or functional inactivation. It describes a situation where immune cells (such as T cells) are rendered unable to respond to a specific antigen despite encountering it.
Combining the two components, "clonal anergy" refers to the state of immune unresponsiveness or inactivation of clonally expanded immune cells.
