Cross-reactivity
Cross-reactivity (pronunciation: /krɔːs riːækˈtɪvɪti/) is a term used in immunology to describe the phenomenon where an antibody or T-cell responds not only to the antigen that induced its production, but also to other, different antigens that share similar structural features.
Etymology
The term "cross-reactivity" is derived from the English words "cross", meaning to intersect or interact, and "reactivity", which refers to the ability of a substance to react chemically.
Related Terms
- Antigen: A substance that induces an immune response in the body, especially the production of antibodies.
- Antibody: A blood protein produced in response to and counteracting a specific antigen.
- T-cell: A type of white blood cell that is of key importance to the immune system and is at the core of adaptive immunity.
- Immunology: The branch of medicine and biology concerned with immunity.
See Also
References
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cross-reactivity
- Wikipedia's article - Cross-reactivity
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