Archives: Glossary

A type of immune cell, called a lymphocyte, which is involved in the innate immune system and can respond rapidly to destroy infected and diseased cells, like cancer cells.

A specialised area of science that studies the immune system, which helps fight off disease in the body.

Innate immunity is the body’s first line of defence against harmful foreign substances, such as bacteria, viruses and cancer cells. It is often called non-specific immunity, as it responds quickly and non-specifically to threats. Innate immunity plays a significant role in triggering adaptive immunity, the body’s specialised immune system that recognises specific threats. Tumour cells […]

A type of white blood cell involved in the immune system which helps protect you from infections and other diseases, such as cancer. Lymphocytes are made in the bone marrow and then mature and exit into your bloodstream and lymphatic system. The two main types of lymphocytes: B lymphocytes (also known as B-cells) make antibodies […]

A type of white blood cell (immune cell) that has granules inside. These granules are small particles containing special proteins that can be released to fight infections, allergies, and sometimes cancer. There are four different kinds of granulocytes: neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils and mast cells.

A protein that is produced by B-cells, a type of immune cell, that helps protect the body from disease. Immunoglobulins work by either directly blocking invaders, or their effect, or by tagging them so other parts of the immune system can destroy them. There are five main types of immunoglobulins: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG and […]

A type of signalling protein that help regulate the immune system. Some cytokines stimulate the immune system, whilst others slow it down. They can also be produced in laboratories and used to treat cancer, infections, and other diseases. Examples of cytokines are interleukins, interferons, and colony-stimulating factors (see immunotherapy).

A specialised type of immune cell that initiates and boosts immune responses by showing (presenting) antigens on its surface to other cells of the immune system. A dendritic cell is a type of antigen-presenting cell (APC).

A type of immune cell that helps activate other immune cells, such as T-cells, by displaying antigens on its surface which boosts the immune response. A dendritic cell is one type of antigen-presenting cell.

A type of immune cell called a lymphocyte that becomes activated in response to an antigen. Once activated, B-cells change and produce antibodies in response to the antigen to help neutralise or eliminate the threat. B-cells are part of the adaptive immune system and are also known as a B-lymphocytes.