1.0Glossaryhttps://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/glossaryGlossaryhttps://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/glossary/author/adminglossary/rich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="otYn4znuuH"><a href="https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/glossary/antigen/">Antigen</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/glossary/antigen/embed/#?secret=otYn4znuuH" width="600" height="338" title="“Antigen” — Glossary" data-secret="otYn4znuuH" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script> /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); //# sourceURL=https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/glossary/wp-includes/js/wp-embed.min.js </script> Any substance recognized by the immune system that induces antibody formation.A substance that prompts the production of antibodies and can cause an immune response. adj. antigenic.Any substance which is capable, under appropriate conditions, of inducing a specific immune response and of reacting with the products of that response, that is, with specific antibody or specifically sensitized T-lymphocytes, or both. Antigens may be soluble substances, such as toxins and foreign proteins, or particulate, such as bacteria and tissue cells; however, only the portion of the protein or polysaccharide molecule known as the antigenic determinant (q.v.) combines with antibody or a specific receptor on a lymphocyte. Abbreviated Ag.Any compound that is foreign to the body (e.g. bacterial, food, or pollen proteins or complex carbohydrates) which, when introduced into the circulation, stimulates the formation of an antibody.Also called an immunogen. Any large molecule or small organism whose entry into the body provokes synthesis of an antibody or immunoglobin (i.e., an immune system response).A substance that can trigger the immune system into producing antibodies as a defense against infection and invading organisms.Any substance that, when introduced into the body, causes the production of a specific antibody by the immune system.Any substance that stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies.Substance that induces production of protective substances against itself.A substance that, on entering the body, is recognized as foreign and responded to by the person’s immune system. An antigen is a molecule that can produce a specific immune response when it is introduced into the bloodstream. A specific configuration on the surface of certain large molecules makes a particular molecule an antigen that attracts a specific antibody. Different types of antibodies recognize the different configurations as sites that they can combine with. The combining sites of the antibody and antigen form a bond that locks them tightly at surface sites that complement each other like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.A substance, such as a bacterium, virus, or protein, that, when coming into contact with an appropriate tissue in an animal body, stimulates that tissue to produce a state of resistance or sensitivity to infection by the organism (bacterium or virus) or to a toxic substance (such as dust). The adjective is "antigenic".Whenever the body identifies a substance entering it as foreign or potentially dangerous, the immune system produces an an antibody to combat it. Antigens are normally proteins, but simple substances — for instance, metals — may become antigenic by combining with and changing the body’s own proteins. Such a product is called a hapten.Any substance that triggers the immune system to produce an antibody; generally refers to infectious or toxic substances.Any substance not normally present in the body and that produces an immune reaction when introduced to the body.A substance, usually a protein, that induces the formation of defending antibodies. Example: bacterial toxins, Juniper pollen (in allergies). Autoimmune disorders occur when antibodies are formed against normal proteins created within the body.A substance that stimulates the body to produce antibodies, e.g. a protein on the surface of a cell or microorganism.A compound that elicits or stimulates the production and release of antibodies.A substance that the body perceives as foreign and that therefore triggers a response from the immune system, which (among other things) produces antibodies to fight it. If the antigen is involved in an allergy or asthma, it is often called an allergen.Any substance which, introduced into the animal body, stimulates the production of an antibody which will react specifically with that substance in some observable way—e.g., producing a positive complemer fixation or precipitin test. Originally held to be invariably protein in nature (mainly bacterial) antigens are now known to include many non-protein substances. For example, certain therapeutic drugs may play an antigenic role on occasion.Substance (e.g., a toxin) or organism (e.g., an ameba) that, when entering the body, causes the production of an antibody that reacts specifically with the antigen to neutralize, destroy, or weaken it. The presence of certain antigens is the criterion for typing in the ABO blood group system and is important in tissue crossmatching for transplants (e.g., the HLA antigen in kidney transplants).Substances, usually proteins, that cause the formation of antibodies and react specifically with that antibody.Any substance that the body regards as foreign or potentially dangerous and against which it produces an antibody. Antigens are usually proteins, but simple substances, even metals, may become antigenic by combining with and modifying the body's own proteins. These are called haptens.Any substance capable of eliciting an immune response or of binding with an antibody. Cellular antigens are proteins or oligosaccharides that mark and identify the cell surface as self or non-self (e.g., as skin, kidney, or nerve cell). Cell surface antigens can stimulate the production of antibodies by B lymphocytes and cytotoxic responses by white blood cells (e.g., granulocytes, monocytes, and lymphocytes).An identifying protein on the coating of every cell and virus.Toxins, substances, particles, cells, and organisms that pose a threat to one’s physical well-being.Any substance or microorganism that, when it enters the body, causes the formation of antibodies against it.A substance, usually a protein or a polysaccharide which, when injected into the body of a living warm-blooded animal, induces the formation in the blood of proteins (antibodies) with which the antigen reacts specifically. The reaction may be observed in vitro by precipitation, agglutination etc.A foreign protein or particle that triggers the body to generate specific antibodies capable of binding to it is known as an antigen.An antigen is a substance capable of eliciting an immune response, prompting the production of antibodies as a crucial component of the body's defense against infection and disease. Numerous antigens consist of foreign proteins, including components of microorganisms, toxins, or tissues from donors in organ transplants. Occasionally, the immune system misidentifies harmless substances like pollen as potential threats, triggering an allergic response.A substance that, when introduced into the body through injection, can stimulate the production of antibodies.