Anergy
Anergy
Anergy (/ˈænərdʒi/) is a term in immunology that describes a state of unresponsiveness of the immune system to specific antigens. It can occur naturally, or it can be induced for therapeutic purposes.
Etymology
The term "anergy" is derived from the Greek words "an-", meaning "without", and "ergon", meaning "work". In the context of immunology, it refers to the lack of an immune response.
Definition
Anergy is a state of immune unresponsiveness. It is induced in the peripheral T-cell pool. T cells that are potentially harmful to the body are rendered nonresponsive, preventing an immune response that could result in damage to the body's own tissues.
Mechanism
The mechanism of anergy involves the interaction of T cells with antigen-presenting cells (APCs). In the absence of co-stimulatory signals, T cells become anergic upon antigen recognition. This is a protective mechanism to prevent autoimmunity.
Clinical Significance
Anergy testing is used in the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). In this context, anergy refers to a negative reaction to skin tests used to detect TB, even in individuals who are infected with the bacteria. This can occur in individuals with a weakened immune system, such as those with HIV/AIDS.
Related Terms
- Immunology: The branch of medicine and biology concerned with immunity.
- Antigen: A substance that induces an immune response.
- T cells: A type of white blood cell that is of key importance to the immune system.
- Antigen-presenting cells (APCs): A type of immune cell that presents an antigen on its surface to T cells.
- Autoimmunity: The system of immune responses of an organism against its own healthy cells and tissues.
- Tuberculosis (TB): An infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- HIV/AIDS: A disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Anergy
- Wikipedia's article - Anergy
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