IMMUNE SURVEILLANCE Meaning and
Definition
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Immune surveillance refers to the natural process by which the immune system constantly monitors the body for abnormal or cancerous cells, as well as foreign invaders such as pathogens or viruses. It is a critical defense mechanism that helps to identify and eliminate these potential threats before they can cause harm or disease.
The immune surveillance process involves various specialized cells and molecules within the immune system working harmoniously to detect and destroy any abnormal or infected cells. These cells include natural killer (NK) cells, cytotoxic T cells, and macrophages, which are all involved in recognizing and neutralizing threats.
When the immune system recognizes a potentially harmful cell, it initiates an immune response. This may involve the activation of specific immune cells, secretion of certain cytokines, or the direct killing of the identified cell. The immune system uses an array of molecular recognition mechanisms, including identifying certain proteins found on the surface of cells that indicate abnormalities or infection.
Impairment in immune surveillance can lead to the development or progression of cancer, as the immune system fails to recognize and eliminate cancerous cells. Furthermore, certain viruses or pathogens have developed strategies to evade immune surveillance, enabling them to persist and cause chronic infections.
Understanding immune surveillance is of great importance in the fields of immunology and cancer research, as it provides insights into the mechanisms of immune responses and the development of potential immunotherapies to enhance immune surveillance and control cancer or infectious diseases.
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Etymology of IMMUNE SURVEILLANCE
The term "immune surveillance" has its roots in the fields of immunology and oncology.
Etymologically, "immune" comes from the Latin word "immunis", which means "exempt" or "free from". In the medical context, "immune" refers to the body's ability to resist or defend against harmful pathogens and other foreign substances.
The word "surveillance" is derived from the French word "surveiller", which means "to watch over". It originated from the Latin words "super" meaning "over" and "vigilare" meaning "to watch".
When these two terms are combined, "immune surveillance" refers to the continuous monitoring and recognition of abnormal cells or foreign agents by the immune system. It specifically pertains to the immune system's ability to identify and eliminate potentially harmful cells or substances, such as cancer cells, viruses, or bacteria.
