Immune receptor

Immune Receptor

An Immune Receptor (pronounced: ih-myoon ree-sep-tor) is a protein molecule, typically found on the surface of cells, that is capable of binding to specific antigens, thus triggering an immune response.

Etymology

The term "Immune Receptor" is derived from the Latin word 'immunis', meaning 'exempt', and the Latin word 'receptus', meaning 'received'. It refers to the function of these receptors in receiving signals from antigens and initiating an immune response.

Function

Immune receptors play a crucial role in the immune system. They are responsible for recognizing and binding to specific antigens, which are foreign substances that trigger an immune response. This binding process initiates a series of events that lead to the destruction or neutralization of the antigen.

Types

There are several types of immune receptors, including T-cell receptors, B-cell receptors, and natural killer cell receptors. Each type of receptor has a unique structure and function, but all play a critical role in the immune response.

T-cell Receptor

The T-cell receptor (TCR) is a type of immune receptor found on the surface of T cells. It is responsible for recognizing and binding to antigens presented by MHC molecules on the surface of antigen-presenting cells.

B-cell Receptor

The B-cell receptor (BCR) is a type of immune receptor found on the surface of B cells. It is responsible for recognizing and binding to free antigens, which triggers the B cell to produce antibodies against the antigen.

Natural Killer Cell Receptor

The natural killer cell receptor (NKCR) is a type of immune receptor found on the surface of natural killer cells. It is responsible for recognizing and binding to cells that are infected with viruses or are cancerous.

Related Terms

• Antigen
• Antibody
• T-cell
• B-cell
• Natural Killer Cell
• Major Histocompatibility Complex

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Immune receptor
• Wikipedia's article - Immune receptor

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