Enzyclopedia
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Amino acid
Amino acids are the elements forming peptides and proteins. Human proteins consist of 20 different amino acids.
Antigen
Each substance triggering a defense reaction of the immune system is an antigen.
Antibody
Antibodies are protein molecules that bind specifically to particular molecules known as antigens and are produced in response to immunization with an antigen. They are released by plasma cells into the blood as a defense reaction after contact with viruses, bacteria or bacteriological poisons as well as tumor antigens. Antibodies bind and neutralize pathogens or prepare them for uptake and destruction by phagocytes. Each antibody has a unique structure that allows it to bind its specific antigen, but all antibodies have the same overall structure and are known collectively as immunoglobulins.
B cells (B lymphocytes)
B lymphocytes are one of the two major classes of lymphocytes. Upon activation by antigen, B cells differentiate into "plasma cells", which produce antibodies against bacteria, bacteriologic poisons and viruses.
Chemotherapy
Medical treatment targeted to destroy malignant cells.
Dendritic Cells (DCs)
DCs are antigen presenting cells located in the skin, blood, lymph system and lymph nodes of every human being. A major function of DCs is to take up and process antigens, present parts of it to other cells of the immune system (T lymphocytes) and therewith initiate immune responses against the antigen.
DNA
DNA is an abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid. It forms the genetic code of most life-forms (with the exception of some viruses). It is located in the chromosomes of the cell nucleus. DNA carries the genetic information of an organism.
Donor lymphocytes
During stem cell transplantation blood forming progenitor cells of a donor are transplanted to a recipient. These donor progenitors can give rise to platelets, platelets and lymphocytes that develop in the recipient's body after transplantation. Mature donor lymphocytes can mount protective immune responses against pathogens and tumor cells, but can also produce serious adverse events against organs of the recipient (Graft-Versus-Host Disease).
Gen
An information unit of the genetic code that, as a rule in humans, holds the blueprint for one protein. Formed into a DNA strand, genes are located in the cell nucleus.
Humanisation
Humanisation is a term used to describe the production of antibodies with mainly human sequences. Human and animal proteins differ in their sequences. These differences are the reason why antibodies formed in a mouse after infusion to a patient are recognized as foreign and eliminated by the human immune system. To prevent this reaction, sequences of a mouse-antibody can be replaced by human sequences. Humanised antibodies still recognise their antigen but are not rejected by the human immune system.
Hybridom-Technology
Hybridomas are formed by fusing a specific antibody-producing B lymphocyte with a special type of tumor cell (myeloma cell) that is selected for its ability to grow in tissue culture and the absence of immunglobulin chain synthesis. This method allows producing large numbers of an antibody.
Idiotype
Each antibody molecule has the potential of binding to a variety of antibodies directed against its unique features or so-called idiotype. All antibodies recognizing this idiotype are called "anti-idiotype-antibodies".
Immunglobuline
see antibodies.
Immunotherapy
Every therapy aiming to manipulate the human immune system to positively influencing the course of diseases. Immunotherapeutic procedures are either unspecific or antigen-specific. The second group includes vaccination, application of antibodies and the transfer of T-cells.
Leukemia
A cancer disease of the blood-forming system affecting the bone marrow and lymph nodes. There are two different types of leukemia: the acute, occurring fast and violent, and the chronical form developing slowly.
Lymphocytes
Lymphocytes are a subset of the leucocytes. They have various functions and are of vital importance for the function and regulation of cellular and non-cellular (humoral) immune responses. In lymphatic organs (such as the lymph nodes, spleen and thymus) the so-called B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes develop from bone-marrow derived progenitor cells.
Metastase
A metastase develops when tumor cells from a malignant tumor migrate in the body via blood vessels or lymphatic system. Metastases can be found separate from the primary tumor in other organs or body parts. Lymph node metastases develop, when tumor cells are transported through the lymphatic system into lymph nodes and grow as new tumors there.
Peptide
A peptide is a chemical compound of amino acids linked together in a chain.
Plasma cells
A fully developed antibody-producing B cells.
Protein
A compound of many single amino acids.
Radiotherapy
Is an established therapeutic procedure for the destruction of large tumors. Radiation directly destroys tumor tissue. There are alpha-, beta- and gamma rays showing different effects and characteristics.
Stem cells (blood-forming stem cells)
Blood forming stem cells are mainly located in the bone marrow. They are progenitor cells and give rise to distinct subsets of mature blood cells. They develop into erythrocytes (red blood corpuscles), thrombocytes (platelets) or leucocytes (white blood corpuscles). They carry a special surface molecule (CD34) and normally don't occur in peripheral blood.
Stem cell transplantation
During stem cell transplantation the patient receives blood forming stem cells. Stem cell transplantation permits the application of high-dose chemotherapies that would end lethal otherwise. High-dose chemotherapy allows a more effective treatment against leukemia and other tumor diseases.
Transplantation
Transmission of organs or cells. The graft can originate from other humans (allogeneic transplantation) or from the patient himself/herself (autologous transplantation).
Tumor antigens (also tumor-specific or tumor-associated antigens)
Tumor antigens are antigens expressed within or on the surface of tumor cells. They can become a target for specific immune responses of the organism. Either tumor-specific antibodies or tumor-specific T cells can lead to the destruction of the antigen-carrying tumor cells.
T cells (T lymphocytes)
T lymphocytes are a subset of lymphocytes defined by their development in the thymus. They protect the organism against viruses, bacteria and fungi. Some subsets of T-lymphocytes have the ability to recognize and kill infected or malignant cells other subsets of T cells play a major role in the regulation of immune responses.
T-cell receptor
With the help of a T-cell receptor on their surface T cells recognise foreign and self-antigens.
