Immunogen is a substance that is able to induce humoral and/or cell-mediated immunity rather than immunological tolerance.[1] Ferencik et al. describe an immunogen as a complete antigen which is composed of the macromolecular carrier and epitopes (determinants).[2] Sometimes is term immunogen used interchangeably with the term antigen, but the term signifies immunogenicity as well as the ability to react with the products of it, such as an antibody.[1] Besides this, an antigen is a substance that can bind a specific antibody. Thus, every immunogen can be an antigen but not every antigen is an immunogen.[3]
References [edit]
- ^ a b Cruse J.M., Lewis R.E. (2010). Atlas Of Immunology. CRC Press. p. 167,168.
- ^ Ferencik M., Rovensky J., Matha V. (2006). Kompendium der Immunologie: Grundlagen und Klinic (German version). Springer. p. 19.
- ^ Murphy K., Travers P., Walport M. (2009). Janeway Immunologie 7. Auflage. p. 923 - 925.
