HAPTENE Meaning and
Definition
-
Haptene is a term used in immunology and biochemistry to describe small molecules that are incapable of inducing an immune response on their own but can elicit an immune response when attached to a larger carrier molecule. The term "haptene" was coined by the German scientist Karl Landsteiner in the early 20th century.
Haptenes are characterized by their ability to bind to certain antibodies, specifically the "recognition sites" on the variable region of an antibody molecule. This binding triggers an immune response, leading to the production of specific antibodies against the haptene-carrier complex. This process is known as hapten-carrier recognition.
Haptene molecules are typically small, organic compounds, such as drugs, chemicals, or environmental allergens. They have low immunogenicity due to their size and inability to stimulate the immune system independently. However, when conjugated or attached to larger carrier proteins or molecules, such as proteins in the body or synthetic carriers, the haptene-carrier complex becomes immunogenic and can initiate an immune response.
The immune response triggered by haptene-carrier complexes can result in allergic reactions, hypersensitivity, or immune-mediated diseases. Haptene conjugates are frequently used in research and diagnostics to study antigen-antibody interactions and to produce specific antibodies for various applications.
Overall, haptene refers to small molecules that are immunologically inactive on their own but can provoke an immune response when bound to larger carrier molecules, leading to the production of specific antibodies.
Common Misspellings for HAPTENE
- gaptene
- baptene
- naptene
- japtene
- uaptene
- yaptene
- hzptene
- hsptene
- hwptene
- hqptene
- haotene
- haltene
- ha0tene
- haprene
- hapfene
- hapgene
- hapyene
- hap6ene
- hap5ene
- haptwne
Etymology of HAPTENE
The word "haptene" was coined by the renowned immunologist Karl Landsteiner in 1936, combining the Greek words "haptein" (to fasten) and "haptos" (fastened). The term was used to describe small molecular substances that, although not immunogenic on their own, can combine with larger molecules (usually proteins) to form an immunogenic complex. The concept of haptens and their role in immune responses revolutionized the understanding of antigenicity and played a crucial role in the development of modern immunology.
