HMX Immunology- ALL

ABO blood groups - carbohydrate antigens on the surface of blood cells determine blood type primary lymphoid organs - bone marrow and thymus circulating leukocytes - mature immune cells that circulate through blood vessels innate immunity - mechanisms that exist prior to infection and are capable of rapid responses to microbes adaptive immunity - a more complex defense system against infection that requires some time to develop after initial exposure to the microbe; is specific and specialized and has memory; mediated by lymphocytes with highly diverse antigen receptors lymphocytes - a type of white blood cell that makes antibodies to fight off infections PD-L1 - A protein that's expressed by immune cells, such as DCs, and non-immune cells, including many cancer cells. Blocking this protein prevents its interaction with PD1 expressed by T cells, thus relieving a negative regulator of T cell function Checkpoint blockade - the reactivation of existing T cells that are nonfunctional due to inhibitory signaling; accomplished by blocking inhibitory receptors, which rejuvenates exhausted T cells (mainly CTLA-4 in lymph nodes and PD-1 in tissue) Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell - are created by introducing into T cells a DNA sequence that contains the recognition portion of an antibody fused to signaling components of the T cell receptor; have been used to treat some types of cancer Cross matching - method of matching a donor's blood to the recipient by mixing a sample in a test tube to determine compatibility HLA (human leukocyte antigen) - these proteins are the most important determinants of an allogenic immune response HLA matching - used to reduce the risk of transplant rejection Natural antibodies - Antibodies produced by the immune system in the apparent absence of any infection. They have a broad specificity for self and microbial antigens, can react with many pathogens, and can activate complement. Immunosuppressive drugs - Chemical agents that cause the human body not to produce antibodies that normally fight off foreign material in the body. The production of these antibodies needs to be suppressed in order to permit the acceptance of a donor