ISOANTIGEN Meaning and
Definition
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An isoantigen, also known as alloantigen, refers to an antigenic substance present in cells or tissues of one individual that is recognized as foreign by the immune system of another individual. It is derived from the fusion of two Greek words "iso" which means same and "antigen" which refers to a foreign substance that triggers an immune response. Thus, isoantigens are specifically recognized by the immune system of individuals belonging to the same species, resulting in an immune response against these antigens.
Isoantigens play a significant role in transplantation and blood transfusion. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on the surfaces of cells contain isoantigens that determine the compatibility of transplants or blood products. When these isoantigens are recognized as foreign by a recipient's immune system, they trigger an immune response leading to the rejection of the transplant or a transfusion reaction. The immune response against isoantigens is mediated by antibodies produced by B cells and killer T cells, which together target and eliminate the foreign cells expressing the specific isoantigens.
Isoantigens are diverse and can differ significantly among individuals, contributing to the uniqueness of an individual's immune system. In addition to their role in transplantation and blood transfusion compatibility, isoantigens are also utilized in diagnostic tests and in the identification and classification of different blood types. Understanding isoantigens and their interactions with the immune system has profound implications in the fields of immunology, transplantation, and transfusion medicine.
Common Misspellings for ISOANTIGEN
- usoantigen
- jsoantigen
- ksoantigen
- osoantigen
- 9soantigen
- 8soantigen
- iaoantigen
- izoantigen
- ixoantigen
- idoantigen
- ieoantigen
- iwoantigen
- isiantigen
- iskantigen
- islantigen
- ispantigen
- is0antigen
- is9antigen
- isozntigen
- isosntigen
Etymology of ISOANTIGEN
The term "isoantigen" is derived from the combination of two words: "iso-" and "antigen".
1. "Iso-" comes from the Greek word "ísos", meaning "equal" or "same".
2. "Antigen" is derived from the terms "anti-" and "gen", which also have Greek origins. "Anti-" translates to "against" or "opposite", while "gen" means "producer" or "source".
Therefore, "isoantigen" essentially refers to an antigen (a substance that generates an immune response) that is the same or equal to another antigen.
