Page 1536 - Veterinary Immunology, 10th Edition

bind to antigens and determine the molecule's antigen-binding
VetBooks.ir specificity. Synonymous with hypervariable region.

Concanavalin A (Con A) A lectin extracted from the jack bean that
makes T cells divide.

Conglutinin A bovine mannose-binding protein that also combines
with C3b.

Constant domains Structural domains with little sequence
variability found in antibodies and TCRs.

Constant region The portion of immunoglobulin and TCR peptide
chains that consists of a relatively constant sequence of amino
acids.

Convertase A protease that acts on a protein to cause its activation.

Cortex The outer region of an organ such as the thymus or lymph
node.

Corticosteroids Steroid hormones released from the adrenal cortex
that have profound effects on the immune system. Some
corticosteroids may be synthetic in origin.

Co-stimulators Molecules required to stimulate an antigen-
sensitive cell simultaneously with antigen in order to initiate an
effective immune response.

Cross-reaction The reaction of an antibody or an antigen receptor
directed against one specific antigen, with a second antigen. This

occurs because the two antigens possess an epitope in common.

Cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity A form of delayed

hypersensitivity reaction in skin associated with an extensive
basophil infiltration.

Cytokine storm The pathological effects induced by the massive

activation of T cells and, as a result, the unregulated production
of many different cytokines.

Cytokines Secreted proteins that mediate cellular interactions and

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