Anergy

Anergy
A state of immune unresponsiveness. Induced when the T cell's antigen receptor is stimulated, effectively freezing T cell responses pending a "second signal" from the antigen-presenting cell. The delivery of the second signal by the antigen-presenting cell rescues the activated T cell from anergy, allowing it to produce the lymphokines necessary for the growth of additional T cells. T cells are small white blood cells that orchestrate and directly participate in the immune defenses. Also known as T lymphocytes, they are processed in the thymus (which is why they are called T cells).
* * *
1. Absence of ability to generate a sensitivity reaction to substances expected to be antigenic (immunogenic, allergenic) in that individual. 2. Lack of energy. SYN: anergia. [G. an- priv. + energeia, energy, from ergon, work]
- negative a. a reduction of the normal or usual immunologic responses because of unrelated intervening disease. SYN: nonspecific a..
- nonspecific a. SYN: negative a..
- positive a. a reduction of the normal or usual immunologic response resulting from a reaction to a specific allergen. SYN: specific a..
- specific a. SYN: positive a..

* * *

an·er·gy 'an-(.)ər-jē n, pl -gies a condition in which the body fails to react to an injected allergen or antigen (as tuberculin)
an·er·gic -jik adj

* * *

n.
1. lack of response to a specific antigen or allergen.
2. lack of energy.
anergic adj.

* * *

an·er·gy (anґər-je) 1. lack of energy, extreme passivity. 2. diminished reactivity to all antigens; it may take the form of diminished immediate hypersensitivity, diminished delayed hypersensitivity, or both. Cf. immunologic tolerance.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • anergy — [an′ər jē] n. [ModL anergia < Gr an , without + ergon, WORK] Med. a condition in which the body of a sensitized person fails to respond to an antigen anergic [an ʉr′jik] adj …   English World dictionary

  • Anergy — Anergia An*er gi*a, Anergy An er*gy, n. [NL. anergia, fr. Gr. ? not + ? work.] Lack of energy; inactivity. {An*er gic}, a. [Webster 1913 Suppl.] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • anergy — anergija statusas T sritis Kūno kultūra ir sportas apibrėžtis Energijos nebuvimas. kilmė gr. an – neigiamoji dalelytė + ergon – darbas, veiksmas atitikmenys: angl. anergy vok. Anergie, f rus. анергия …   Sporto terminų žodynas

  • anergy — anergija statusas T sritis Kūno kultūra ir sportas apibrėžtis Reaktyvumo nebuvimas, nejautrumas dirgikliams. kilmė gr. an – neigiamoji dalelytė + ergon – darbas, veiksmas atitikmenys: angl. anergy vok. Anergie, f rus. анергия …   Sporto terminų žodynas

  • anergy — noun Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary 2a + ergy (as in allergy Date: circa 1923 a condition in which the body fails to react to an antigen …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • anergy — (an ěr je) A state of unresponsiveness to antigens. Absence of the ability to generate a sensitivity reaction to substances that are expected to be antigenic …   Dictionary of microbiology

  • anergy — Failure of lymphocytes that have been primed to respond to second exposure to the antigen. Consequence is a depression or lack of normal immunological function …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • anergy — anergic /a nerr jik, an euhr /, adj. /an euhr jee/, n. 1. Pathol. deficiency of energy. 2. Immunol. lack of immunity to an antigen. [ < NL anergia. See AN 1, ERGO 1, Y3] * * * …   Universalium

  • anergy — noun a) A lack of response to an antigen or antibody. b) Lack of energy See Also: anergic …   Wiktionary

  • anergy — n. lack of energy; lack of immunity to an antigen …   English contemporary dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”