SENSITIZATION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does sensitization mean? 

• SENSITIZATION (noun)
  The noun SENSITIZATION has 3 senses:

1. the state of being sensitive (as to an antigen)

2. (psychology) the process of becoming highly sensitive to specific events or situations (especially emotional events or situations)

3. rendering an organism sensitive to a serum by a series of injections

  Familiarity information: SENSITIZATION used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SENSITIZATION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The state of being sensitive (as to an antigen)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

sensitisation; sensitization

Hypernyms ("sensitization" is a kind of...):

predisposition; sensitivity (susceptibility to a pathogen)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "sensitization"):

irritation ((pathology) abnormal sensitivity to stimulation)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(psychology) the process of becoming highly sensitive to specific events or situations (especially emotional events or situations)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Synonyms:

sensitisation; sensitization

Hypernyms ("sensitization" is a kind of...):

physical process; process (a sustained phenomenon or one marked by gradual changes through a series of states)

Domain category:

psychological science; psychology (the science of mental life)

Derivation:

sensitize (make sensitive or aware)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Rendering an organism sensitive to a serum by a series of injections

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

sensitisation; sensitising; sensitization; sensitizing

Hypernyms ("sensitization" is a kind of...):

immunisation; immunization (the act of making immune (especially by inoculation))

Derivation:

sensitize (make sensitive to a drug or allergen)

 Context examples 

Cross-linking of CD4 on the T cell surface may be involved in upregulation of Fas and sensitization of T cells to apoptosis induced by the Fas/Fas-ligand interaction.

(HIV Induced T Cell Apoptosis Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

They can also use perforin to kill cells in the absence of antibody and killing may occur without previous sensitization.

(Murine Natural Killer Cells, NCI Thesaurus)

Contact sensitization with DNCB has been used as a measure of cellular immunity.

(Dinitrochlorobenzene, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

Loss of p53 activity leads to sensitization of cancer cells to other therapeutics.

(EL625, NCI Thesaurus)

As antibodies that occur naturally due to sensitization to alpha-Gal present on symbiotic bacterial flora, anti-alpha-Gal Igs are present in unusually high amounts in human sera.

(Alpha-Gal Glycosphingolipids, NCI Thesaurus)

Exposure to this substance causes skin irritation and sensitization.

(Dianisidine, NCI Thesaurus)

A contact dermatitis due to allergic sensitization to various substances.

(Allergic Contact Dermatitis, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

Because of the involvement of spinal NMDA receptors in the process of central sensitization, this agent may reduce pain perception and induce sedation.

(Ketamine, NCI Thesaurus)

Based on sensitization theory, co-administration of trastuzumab (anti-HER-2/neu monoclonal antibody) and HER-2/neu intracellular domain protein may result in the potentiation of a HER2/neu-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response against tumor cells overexpressing the HER2/neu protein.

(HER-2/neu Intracellular Domain Protein, NCI Thesaurus)

After sensitization process by repeated topical application of diphencyprone to a specific area, further application of this agent to the affected area may stimulate an immune response and may potentially be useful to clear the affected area from infection or cancer.

(Diphencyprone, NCI Thesaurus)