Immunogenicity
Immunogenicity
Immunogenicity (pronounced: im·mu·no·ge·ni·ci·ty) is a term used in medicine and immunology to describe the ability of a particular substance, such as an antigen or epitope, to provoke an immune response in the body of a human or animal.
Etymology
The term "Immunogenicity" is derived from the Latin immunis meaning "exempt" or "free", and the Greek -gen meaning "producer of". It essentially refers to the ability to produce an immune response.
Related Terms
- Antigen: A substance that induces an immune response in the body, especially the production of antibodies.
- Epitope: The part of an antigen molecule to which an antibody attaches itself.
- Immune Response: A reaction of the body's immune system to foreign substances.
- Immunogen: A specific type of antigen that triggers an immune response.
- Antibody: A blood protein produced in response to and counteracting a specific antigen.
Immunogenicity in Medicine
In medicine, immunogenicity is a crucial factor in the development of vaccines and therapeutic proteins. The immunogenicity of a vaccine is its ability to induce a humoral (antibody-mediated) and/or cell-mediated immune response. For therapeutic proteins, immunogenicity can be a concern as it may reduce the clinical efficacy and safety of the treatment.
Immunogenicity Testing
Immunogenicity testing is a critical component of the development and post-marketing surveillance of biopharmaceuticals. It involves the detection, identification and characterization of antibodies that are generated in response to a therapeutic protein.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Immunogenicity
- Wikipedia's article - Immunogenicity
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