. "Appendix B: Glossary of Immunological Terms." Military Strategies for Sustainment of Nutrition and Immune Function in the Field. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 1999.
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Anaphylatoxin.
A fragment (also known as C3a) of complement C3 that causes cellular release of histamine.
Antibody.
An immunoglobulin protein produced by the immune system, designed to bind to a specific single antigen. Antibodies neutralize foreign antigens; form immune complexes; activate complement; sensitize target cells, mast cells, and basophils; and initiate opsonization.
Antigen.
Any substance (or molecule) capable of inducing a specific immune response. Antigens include a wide variety of plant and microorganism components or toxins.
α1–antitrpsin.
An acute-phase reactant plasma glycoprotein.
Arthus reactions.
Dermal skin test reactions (characteristic of Type III hypersensitivities), that occur during a 4–12 h interval.
Autoimmune disease.
Any disease caused by the immune system's erroneous and destructive actions on the body's own tissues, such as thyroiditis, myocarditis, glomerulonephritis, and lupus erythematosus.
B
Basophil.
A white blood cell (WBC) with granules that can be stained by basic dyes. Basophils participate in inflammatory processes and in allergic and hypersensitivity reactions by releasing histamine.
B-cells (or B-lymphocytes).
Thymus-independent, bursa-equivalent lymphocytes produced by bone marrow to populate all lymphoid organs and tissues. They are capable of producing antibodies and maturing into plasma cells. B-cells express antibody on their surfaces that can respond to foreign protein, polysaccharide, and lipid antigens in soluble form.
C
Cathepsin.
A proteinase enzyme released by polymorphonuclear leukocytes during inflammation.
Cell-mediated immunity.
Antigen-specific and nonspecific immunity provided by the direct localized cellular activity of T-lymphocytes and natural killer cells. Specific cells include T–helper cells (Th) and T–cytotoxic cells (Tc); nonspecific cells include macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils, and NK-cells.
CD4+ cells.
Helper T-cells recognized by the presence of cluster of differentiation antigen 4 on their exterior cell surfaces.
CD8+ cells.
Suppressor T-cells recognized by the presence of cluster of differentiation antigen 8 on their exterior cell surfaces.
