IMMUNE COMPLEXES Meaning and
Definition
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Immune complexes refer to the molecular complexes formed when antibodies bind to their specific targets, known as antigens, in the body. Immune complexes are critical components of the humoral immune response. When an antigen enters the body, B cells recognize and bind to it, leading to the production of antibodies known as immunoglobulins. These antibodies bind to the antigens to form immune complexes.
Immune complexes play a complex role in the immune system. They can help eliminate antigens from the body by marking them for destruction by other immune cells. However, in certain situations, immune complexes can be harmful. When there is an excess of immune complexes or if they are not efficiently cleared from the body, they can accumulate in tissues and trigger inflammatory responses. These accumulated immune complexes can stimulate the activation of inflammatory cells, leading to tissue damage and various immune-mediated diseases, such as autoimmune disorders and vasculitis.
Detection and measurement of immune complexes are crucial for diagnosing and monitoring immune-related diseases. Different laboratory techniques, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and immunofluorescence assays, are used to detect and quantify immune complexes in clinical samples.
Overall, immune complexes play a vital role in the immune response, serving both beneficial and detrimental functions. Understanding their formation, clearance, and potential pathogenicity is essential for managing immune-mediated diseases.
Common Misspellings for IMMUNE COMPLEXES
- ummune complexes
- jmmune complexes
- kmmune complexes
- ommune complexes
- 9mmune complexes
- 8mmune complexes
- inmune complexes
- ikmune complexes
- ijmune complexes
- imnune complexes
- imkune complexes
- imjune complexes
- immyne complexes
- immhne complexes
- immjne complexes
- immine complexes
- imm8ne complexes
- imm7ne complexes
- immube complexes
- immume complexes
Etymology of IMMUNE COMPLEXES
The etymology of the word "immune complexes" can be broken down as follows:
1. Immune: The word "immune" derives from the Latin word "immunis", which means "exempt", "free", or "safe". It originated from the combination of the prefix "in-" meaning "not" and "munus" meaning "service" or "gift". In the context of the immune system, it refers to the body's ability to resist or defend against a specific pathogen.
2. Complexes: This term comes from the Latin word "complexus", which means "entwined" or "twisted together". In the context of the immune system, "complexes" refer to the combination of antigens (foreign substances that stimulate an immune response) and antibodies (proteins produced by the immune system to neutralize antigens).
