Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

A nutritional supplement (e.g., arginine) that when added to a clinical diet is thought to improve resistance to infectious disease.  

The alteration of immune responses with monoclonal antibodies, cytokines, glucocorticoids, immunoglobulins, ultraviolet light, plasmapheresis, or related agents known to alter cellular or humoral immunity.  

The study of all the antigens present in particular biological specimens and the approaches that can be used to identify them or use them as potential targets for treatment.  

The use of magnetic microspheres to sort, isolate, or identify cells with specific antigenic markers.  

Of, pertaining to, or using magnetic beads or spheres that have been coated with antibodies.  

Stimulation of the differentiation of memory B cells with an antigen exposure, so that subsequent exposures to that antigen will produce a rapid proliferation of plasma cells and a vigorous antibody response.  

Inability to conceive offspring as a result of the production of antigamete antibodies that destroy sperm, especially anti-sperm antibodies. It is a rare cause of infertility in humans.  

An inability to produce an immune response.  

The study of the influence of genetic factors on one’s susceptibility to infectious diseases (e.g., malaria) and autoimmune illnesses (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis) or on one’s suitability for organ transplantation.  

To the ability of a specific antigen or epitope to induce a measurable or clinically meaningful immune response when other structurally related antigens do not.