Natural killer (NK) cells are highly specialised lymphocytes of the innate immune system. They are large granular lymphocytes and arise from common lymphoid progenitor, from which T cells and B cells also develop. They are called natural killer cells because they can kill abnormal cells without previous sensitization. NK cells act as first line defence … Read more
Vaccines are biological preparations used to give active immunity against a particular infectious disease. It contains an active substance called antigen. This antigen acts like disease causing organism but it does not produce severe disease. The antigen may be prepared from weakened or killed virus or bacteria. It may be specific part of the germ … Read more
Phagocytosis refers to the process in which cells consume large particles (>0.5 micrometers) and vesicle-bound membrane vesicles known as phagosomes. These vesicles are then directed to the lysosomes where they will be subjected to enzymatic degrading. Optonization of bacteria can greatly enhance phagocytosis. Although phagocytosis may occur without the attachment of an IgG or complement fragment (C3), it can be greatly enhanced by attaching a specific IgG.
Basophil is a type of white blood cell (WBC). It is present in blood in very small amount. It is the rarest type of leukocyte and form less than 1% of total circulating white blood cells. Basophil is formed in the bone marrow. It is a granulocyte, because its cytoplasm contains granules. These granules are … Read more
Opsonization is a important immune process in which harmful particles like bacteria, viruses, dead cells and damaged cells are coated by special proteins called opsonins. It makes the foreign particle easily recognized by the immune cells. This process helps in quick removal of the pathogen from the body. The major opsonins are antibodies and complement … Read more
Agglutination reaction is an immunological reaction where insoluble or particulate antigen combines with its specific antibody and forms visible clumping. In this reaction, the antigen may be present on RBC, bacteria or artificial carrier like latex beads. The antibodies are known as agglutinins and the antigen present on particle surface is called agglutinogen. The antibody … Read more
Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) is a separation technique. It is used for separation of ions and molecules present in a sample mixture. The separation is done inside a narrow tube called capillary. The capillary is filled with electrolyte buffer solution. In this method high voltage is applied at the two ends of the capillary. Due to … Read more
Fermentation media are nutrient preparations which are used for the growth and metabolic activity of microorganisms. It gives proper environment for bacteria, yeasts and fungi during fermentation. In this medium, microbes convert raw materials into useful products like cell biomass, antibiotics, enzymes, organic acids and pharmaceutical products. Fermentation media may be solid or liquid. In … Read more
Cancer immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses the body’s own immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells. It does not directly attack the tumour like chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It stimulates or restores the natural cancer fighting capacity of immune system. In this treatment, the immune cells mainly T-cells are activated … Read more
Tumor antigen is a molecule present in cancer cell. It may be present on cell surface or inside the cell. It is recognized by the immune system and helps to identify malignant cell from normal cell. These antigens are important in cancer immunotherapy. They act as target molecule. By this target, immune system can attack … Read more
