IMMUNE SYSTEM

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does immune system mean? 

• IMMUNE SYSTEM (noun)
  The noun IMMUNE SYSTEM has 1 sense:

1. a system (including the thymus and bone marrow and lymphoid tissues) that protects the body from foreign substances and pathogenic organisms by producing the immune response

  Familiarity information: IMMUNE SYSTEM used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• IMMUNE SYSTEM (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A system (including the thymus and bone marrow and lymphoid tissues) that protects the body from foreign substances and pathogenic organisms by producing the immune response

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Hypernyms ("immune system" is a kind of...):

system (a group of physiologically or anatomically related organs or parts)

Meronyms (parts of "immune system"):

bone marrow; marrow (the fatty network of connective tissue that fills the cavities of bones)

thymus; thymus gland (a ductless glandular organ at the base of the neck that produces lymphocytes and aids in producing immunity; atrophies with age)

lymph gland; lymph node; node (the source of lymph and lymphocytes)

RES; reticuloendothelial system (a widely distributed system consisting of all the cells able to ingest bacteria or colloidal particles etc, except for certain white blood cells)

 Context examples 

Upon administration, mRNA-derived prostate cancer vaccine CV9103 may stimulate the immune system to mount a cytotoxic T lymphocyte response (CTL) against PSA-, PSMA-, PSCA- and STEAP-expressing prostate tumor cells.

(mRNA-Derived Prostate Cancer Vaccine CV9103, NCI Thesaurus)

Another association—one of the strongest detected—was related to immune system function.

(Over 100 Genetic Sites Tied to Schizophrenia, NIH)

Upon intradermal administration, mRNA-derived lung cancer vaccine CV9202 may stimulate the immune system to mount both humoral and cellular responses against NSCLC cells.

(mRNA-derived Lung Cancer Vaccine CV9202, NCI Thesaurus)

βGBP is a form of immunotherapy, which works with a patient's immune system to help them fight the disease.

(Molecule in Immune System Able to Trigger 'Suicide' of Cancerous Tumors, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Muramyl tripeptide phosphatidylethanolamine activates certain types of white blood cells and helps the immune system kill cancer cells.

(Muramyl tripeptide phosphatidylethanolamine, NCI Dictionary)

At the same time, the infant immune system is still developing and is learning, partly through exposure to microorganisms, how to respond to the infant’s new, non-sterile environment.

(Gut Bacteria from Breastfeeding Linked to Improved Infant Response to Vaccines, U.S. Department of Agriculture)

People with AIDS are at an increased risk for developing certain cancers and for infections that usually occur only in individuals with a weak immune system.

(AIDS, NCI Dictionary)

Infectious agents, which while normally present but remaining benign under the control of the immune system, become virulent and pathogenic in immune-compromised hosts (i.e when they get the opportunity to become infectious).

(Agents of Opportunistic Infection, NCI Thesaurus)

Collectively known as the gut microbiota, these bacteria help with metabolism and maintaining a healthy immune system.

(Food Additives Alter Gut Microbes, Cause Diseases in Mice, NIH)

Alanine is an important source of energy for muscles and central nervous system, strengthens the immune system, helps in the metabolism of sugars and organic acids, and displays a cholesterol-reducing effect in animals.

(Alanine, NCI Thesaurus)