Cancer Immune Therapy Edited by G. Stuhler and P. Walden ...

380 Cancer Immune Therapie: Current and Future Strategies
Edited by G. Stuhler and P. Walden
Copyright # 2002 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA
ISBNs: 3-527-30441-X (Hardback); 3-527-60079-5 (Electronic)
Glossary
a 2-Macroglobulin
A serum protease inhibitor with a broad range of specificities which blocks members
of all four known classes of endopeptidases. It contains a unique thiol ester group
which, when cleaved by the proteases, results in a covalent bond between protease
and inhibitor. Concordantly, the protease becomes entrapped by a conformational
change of the inhibitor. a2-Macroglobulin has been implicated to play a role in lipopolysaccharide
sensitivity, neutralization of transforming growth factor-b and in Alzheimer's
disease. It binds to the cell surface receptor CD91.
Adaptive immunity
Immunity to infectious or other antigens that improves in quality and intensity from
the first to the second encounter with the antigen, in contrast to innate immunity
which involves always the same immune reactions of the same intensity with every
antigen challenge. Adaptive immunity is based on the selection and expansion of
antigen-specific T and B lymphocyte clones. The B lymphocytes switch thereby from
IgM to IgG production which have a higher affinity for the antigen.
Adhesion molecule
Cell surface receptor for cell±cell and cell±matrix adhesiveness. They are implicated
in stable cell±cell contacts in tissues as well as in the transient attachments of migrating
cells, and play a role in transmigration of leukocytes through the endothelial
cell layer of blood vessels and in the interaction of T lymphocytes with their stimulator
or target cells. Several families of adhesion receptors with different functions have
been described including cadherins, selectins, addressins, integrins, Annexins and
members of the immunoglobulin superfamily, such as the intercellular adhesion
molecules (ICAMs). Some adhesion molecules, e. g. some integrins, also transmit
signals into the cell and/or out of the cell.
Adjuvant
Material co-administered with specific antigens to improve the vaccination effects.
Adjuvants are often derived from microorganisms but may also be cells like dendritic
cells, subcellular components such as heat shock proteins, cytokines, chemokines, lipids
of various origin, oligonucleotides or inorganic compounds such as aluminum hy-