The study of the immune system in organisms, primarily responsible for fighting infection.
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2answers
1k views
Harmless virus?
Is it possible for a virus to live symbiotically with its host?
Is the human body plagued with viral infections that do negligible harm, or even serve a beneficial role?
5
votes
1answer
891 views
What cells would have the CD3 marker on them (other than T-cells)
Do you know of any peripheral blood mononuclear cells that would express any amount (beit low or high) of CD3 on their surface (other than T-cells)?
7
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1answer
175 views
Why do dendritic cells have CD4/CD8 on their surface?
Why do dendritic cells have CD4 or CD8 antigens on their surface? What is their function without the presence of a T-cell receptor?
15
votes
3answers
287 views
How does the immune system “learn” from a vaccine?
According to Wikipedia:
A vaccine typically contains an agent that resembles a disease-causing
microorganism, and is often made from weakened or killed forms of the
microbe, its toxins or one ...
8
votes
1answer
119 views
Do antigens protrude through the capsule/slime layer in prokaryotic organisms where these features are present?
In prokaryotic organisms that have a slime layer or capsule, do intrinsic/extrinsic proteins and other molecules that could be used as antigens protrude through the capsule?
I assume that they ...
17
votes
2answers
73 views
How is duration of efficacy estimated for vaccines?
Vaccines, especially those given in adulthood, usually have term limits attached, eg: 10 years for yellow fever or 3 years for typhoid. Since presumably the time course of an immune response is no ...
9
votes
1answer
88 views
Why is there an extended delay before G.M. liver cells are attacked by the immune system?
In this BBC article a trial is described where patients with B-Haemophillia are infected with modified Adeno-associated Virus 8 which contained the genes for Factor IX clotting protein. Trials seemed ...
10
votes
1answer
171 views
What are the clotting factors' effect on avascular necrosis development?
Do clotting factors tpa and pai-1 lead to degenerative osteoarthritis in the same way that lupus anticoagulant and prothrombin might? Is one of these pathways particularly detrimental during formation ...
11
votes
1answer
82 views
What are the main mechanisms of interaction between the nervous and immune systems?
We know from pop science that our psychological states have an effect on our immune systems ("worrying ourselves sick", etc.), but what are the actual mechanisms through which our nervous systems pass ...
18
votes
1answer
330 views
Are lymphocyte sizes clustered in two groups?
Tortora writes in Principles of Anatomy and Physiology:
Lymphocytes may be as small as 6–9 μm in diameter or as large as 10–14 μm in diameter.
Those ranges are quite close to each others. Should ...
