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| ICAM1: Intracellular adhesion molecule, functions in adhesion of cells, found to be increased in some cancer cells. IFN: Interferon, a cytokine of a family of glycoproteins derived from human cells which normally has a role in fighting viral infections by preventing virus multiplication in cells. IgA: Immunoglobulin A, one of the five structurally related glycoprotein antibodies secreted by B cells in response to antigen stimulation. IGF-1: Insulin-like growth factor, which structurally resembles insulin, the pancreatic hormone, but is secreted by many mammalian cells with cell proliferation effect. IgM: An antibody, immunoglobulin type G, is produced by antigen stimulated immune system cells. Immune response: Alteration in the reactivity of an organisms immune system in response to an antigen, in vertebrates, this may involve antibody production, induction of cell-mediated immunity, complement activation or development of immunological tolerance. Immune system: An elaborate defense system present in higher animals and plants. It consists of specialized cells known as lymphocytes, B and T lymphocytes with specific functions. Immunoassay: A process that measures and identifies a specific biological substance such as an antigen. Immunoblotting: Very small amounts of protein are transferred from gels to nitrocellulose sheets by electrophoresis and then detected by their antibody binding, usually in combination with peroxidase or radioactively labeled IgG (immunoglobulin G). An accurate technique for the specific recognition of very small amounts of protein. Immunocompromised: A condition in which the immune system is not functioning normally. Immunodiffusion: Any technique involving diffusion of antigen or antibody through a semisolid medium, usually agar or agarose gel, resulting in a precipitation reaction. Precipitation lines or bands form where the concentration of an antigen and antibody are serologically equivalent. Immunogen: A substance that can produce immune response; in most contexts it is synonymous with antigen. Immunoglobulin: Protein molecules synthesized by B-lymphocytes when stimulated by antigen. They are also called antibodies. Immunoglobulin E: One of the five classes of antibodies secreted by B-lymphocytes. Immuno-histochemistry: Histochemical localization of immunoreactive substances using labeled antibodies as reagents. Immuno-histochemical staining: Technique applied specifically to stain antigen-antibody complex. Immuno-histochemical technique: Technique applied specifically to stain antigen-antibody complex. Immunotherapy: Treatment that increases natural immunity of the patient to resist a particular disease or condition. A general term for active and passive immunization, treatment with immunopotentiators, immunosuppressants, and bone marrow transplantation. Immunotoxin: A hybrid molecule formed by coupling an entire toxin or a chain of a toxin to an antibody or antigen molecule; the resulting molecule has the specificity of the antibody or the antigen and the toxicity of the toxin. In situ: In the natural or normal place; confined to the site of origin without invasion of neighboring tissues. In situ hybridization: The use of a DNA or RNA probe to detect the complementary DNA sequence. In vitro: Outside the living system such as in a test tube. In vivo: In an intact living system. Incontinence: Unable to control excretory functions. Inguinal: Pertaining to the groin. Insulin: A protein hormone secreted by the beta cells of the pancreatic islet. This hormone is secreted in response to elevated blood level of glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids and promotes efficient utilization and storage of these fuels. Interferon: A family of glycoproteins with antiviral activity. Interferons (IFNs) also have immunoregulatory functions (enhancement of T cell activity and stimulation of NK cell cytotoxic activity). There are three types of IFNs - alpha, beta, and gamma depending upon the producer cells and functions, but all animal cell can synthesize IFNs. Interleukins: A general term for a group of protein factors produced by macrophages and T cells in response to antigenic response. To date about 11 interlukins are identified with different functions. Interphase: The interval between two successive cell divisions, during which the chromosomes are not individually distinguishable and the normal physiological processes proceed. Interstitial: Pertaining to or situated between parts or in the interspaces of a tissue. Intimal: Pertaining to the inner layer of the blood vessels Intranucleosomal: Pertaining to the inside of the nucleosome, the complex of histone and DNA in eukaryotic cells, seen under the electron microscope as beadlike bodies on a string of DNA. In the diagram shown below, on the right is shown "the beads on the string" where the blue rope is the DNA double helix, and the yellow stuffing the histones; on the left is the crystal structure of nucleosome; the two double helical DNAs appear in blue and gold, the histones as spirals in different color.  Intraperitoneal: Pertaining to peritoneum, the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers most of the abdominal organs. Intron: A noncoding intervening sequence in a gene. Almost all eukaryotic genes contain several introns separating the exons. The first diagram below show the shematics, and the second diagram, the actual distributions of exons and inrons in chicken ovalbumin gene.   Ionizing radiation: Electromagnetic radiation capable of producing ionization (process by which a neutral atom gains or loses electrons) directly or indirectly in its passage through matter. |
