clonal selection theory — a modification of the natural selection theory (q.v.): there are in each adult several million clones of antibody producing cells, each programmed to make antibody of a single specificity and bearing cell surface receptors capable of reacting… … Medical dictionary
Clonal — may refer to in Immunology Clonal deletion, a process by which B cells and T cells are deactivated before act significantly upon specific antigens Clonal selection theory, a model for how the immune system responds to infection Clonal anergy, a… … Wikipedia
theory — A reasoned explanation of known facts or phenomena that serves as a basis of investigation by which to seek the truth. SEE ALSO: hypothesis, postulate. [G. theoria, a beholding, speculation, t., fr. theoros, a beholder] adsorption t. of narcosis… … Medical dictionary
Autoimmunity — Infobox Disease Name = Autoimmunity Caption = DiseasesDB = 28805 ICD10 = ICD9 = ICD9|279.4 ICDO = OMIM = 109100 MedlinePlus = eMedicineSubj = eMedicineTopic = MeshID = D001327 Autoimmunity is the failure of an organism to recognize its own… … Wikipedia
forbidden clone — see clonal deletion theory, under theory … Medical dictionary
Central tolerance — is the mechanism by which newly developing T cells and B cells are rendered non reactive to self[1]. The concept of central tolerance was proposed in 1959 by Joshua Lederberg[2], as part of his general theory of immunity and tolerance, and is… … Wikipedia
Molecular mimicry — is defined as the theoretical possibility that sequence similarities between foreign and self peptides are sufficient to result in the cross activation of autoreactive T or B cells by pathogen derived peptides. Despite the promiscuity of several… … Wikipedia
Immune system — A scanning electron microscope image of a single neutrophil (yellow), engulfing anthrax bacteria (orange). An immune system is a system of biological structures and processes within an organism that protects against disease by identifying and… … Wikipedia
Antibody — Immunoglobulin redirects here. For the immunoglobulin family, see Immunoglobulin superfamily. Antibodies redirects here. For the film, see Antibodies (film). Each antibody binds to a specific antigen; an interaction similar to a lock and key. An… … Wikipedia
Complement system — This article is about an aspect of the immune system. For other uses, see complement (disambiguation). The complement system helps or “complements” the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear pathogens from an organism. It is part of… … Wikipedia