Immunology is an emerging branch of medical science that deals with studies related to different aspects of the immune system like the cells, structure, function, response against antigens, and disorders.
Lymphocytes are the cells that specifically recognize and respond to foreign antigens and are mediators of humoral and cellular immunity. Lymphocytes, the unique cells of adaptive immunity, are the only cells in the body that express clonally distributed antigen receptors, … Read more
Macrophages The mononuclear phagocytic system consists of monocytes circulating in the blood and macrophages in the tissues. The monocyte is considered a leukocyte in transit through the blood, which becomes a macrophage when fixed in a tissue. Monocytes and macrophages … Read more
What is Apoptosis? Apoptosis is a normal genetically programmed cell death where an aging cell at the end of its life cycle shrinks and its remaining fragments are phagocytosed without any inflammatory reaction. The term apoptosis was first introduced in … Read more
Neutrophils Definition Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell with multi-lobed nuclei and stainable cytoplasmic granules. These are the most abundant granulocytes, occupying about 40-60% of the total number of white blood cells in the blood. Neutrophils, like all … Read more
The cells that serve specialized roles in innate and adaptive immune responses are phagocytes, dendritic cells, antigen-specific lymphocytes, and various other leukocytes that function to eliminate antigens. Although most of these cells are found in the blood, their responses to … Read more
Precipitation definition It is a type of antigen-antibody reaction, in which the antigen occurs in a soluble form. When a soluble antigen reacts with its specific antibody, at an optimum temperature and PH in the presence of electrolyte antigen-antibody complex … Read more
Western Blot Definition Western blot, also known as immunoblotting, is the process of separating proteins and identifying them in a complex biological sample. The use of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is a prerequisite for western blotting in order to separate proteins … Read more
Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Both T and B cells use surface molecules to recognize antigen, they accomplish this in very different ways. In contrast to antibodies or B-cell receptors, which can recognize an antigen alone, T-cell receptors only recognize pieces … Read more
Eastern Blot Definition Eastern blot is a molecular biology technique that is used to detect post-translational modifications in proteins and the presence of components like lipids and carbohydrates. Eastern blot was discovered as an extension of the more popular western … Read more
Immunogenicity is determined by: A. Properties of Immunogen Foreignness An antigen must be a foreign substance to the animal or recognized as non-self by the biological system to elicit an immune response. E.g. Bovine serum albumin, a common experiment antigen … Read more
Introduction Indirect ELISA is a two-step ELISA which involves two binding process of primary antibody and labeled secondary antibody. The primary antibody is incubated with the antigen followed by the incubation with the secondary antibody. However, this may lead to nonspecific signals … Read more
Precipitation reactions can be broad of three types: Precipitation in solution. Precipitation in agar. Precipitation in agar with an electric field. Precipitation in solution Ring test and flocculation test are examples of precipitation in solution. It is also called simple … Read more
The interactions between antigens and antibodies are known as antigen–antibody reactions. The reactions are highly specific, and an antigen reacts only with antibodies produced by itself or with closely related antigens. Antibodies recognize molecular shapes (epitopes) on antigens. Generally, the … Read more
Antibodies are glycoproteins produced in membrane-bound or secreted form by B lymphocytes in response to exposure to foreign structures known as antigens. The human immunoglobulins are a family of proteins that confer humoral immunity and perform vital roles in promoting … Read more
What are Antibodies? Antibodies are often referred to as immunoglobulins (immune proteins). Antibodies, or Y-shaped immunoglobulins, are proteins found in the blood that help to fight against foreign substances called antigens. Antigens, which are usually proteins or polysaccharides, stimulate the immune … Read more
What is Thymus Gland? Definition of Thymus Gland The thymus gland is one of the key organs in the lymphatic system, which occurs in the mediastinum below the sternum. The thymus extends from the lower edge of the thyroid gland … Read more
The sandwich ELISA quantify antigens between two layers of antibodies (i.e. capture and detection antibody). Sandwich ELISA is named so as antigen is sandwiched between two antibodies. The sandwich assay uses two different antibodies that are reactive with different epitopes … Read more
Opsonization definition The term opsonization refers to the capacity of antibodies and complement components (as well as other proteins) to coat dangerous antigens that can then be recognized by antibodies or complement receptors on phagocytic cells. Opsonization is the molecular … Read more
What are Platelets (Thrombocytes)? Platelets (Thrombocytes) Definition Platelets or thrombocytes are anucleated cells derived from the megakaryocytic cells in the bone marrow that, besides being one of the key players in maintaining hemostasis, are involved in developing non-hemostatic immune functions. … Read more
What are Monocytes? Definition of Monocytes Monocytes are cells of the immune system that represent immune effector cells with chemokine receptors and pathogen recognition receptors that circulate through blood or remain localized in lymphoid organs. These cells account for about … Read more
What are Basophils? Definition of Basophils Basophils are nonphagocytic granulocytes that are the least common leukocytes occurring in the blood circulation and are critical to the immune response against parasites. Basophils are similar to eosinophils in that these are produced … Read more