Target cell

Target cell

Target cell is a term given to one of three different concepts in medicine.

* In hematology, target cells are abnormal red blood cells, that have a bullseye appearance. (See main article: codocyte)

* In endocrinology, target cells can refer to the cells where hormones have their effect. Target cells are capable of responding to hormones because they bear receptors to which the hormone can bind. Hormones will float along the bloodstream until they find an appropriate target cell.

* In immunology, target cells are cells which present the antigenic peptide combined with MHC1 molecules to Cytotoxic T cells. These cells have class I MHC molecules on their surface (in contrast to Antigen Presenting Cells, which in addition also have the class II MHC MHC2 molecues). Target Cells are the normal cells of the body which have undergone some alteration and synthesise abnormal proteins e.g. tumor cells, virus infected cells.


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  • target cell — n a cell that is acted on selectively by a specific agent (as a virus, drug, or hormone) <the receptor that HIV binds to in entering its target cells (Michael Balter)> * * * 1. a cell that is the focus of attack by antibodies, cytotoxic T… …   Medical dictionary

  • target cell —  Target Cell  Клетка Мишень   В гематологии аномальная красная клетка крови (эритроцит), внутри которой при окрашивании образца крови наблюдаются сменяющие друг друга темные и светлые кольца. Существование клеток мишеней в крови наблюдается при… …   Толковый англо-русский словарь по нанотехнологии. - М.

  • target cell — 1) a cell that is the focus of attack by antibodies, cytotoxic T cells, or natural killer cells or is the object of the action of a specific hormone. 2) (in haematology) an abnormal form of red blood cell (erythrocyte) in which the cell assumes… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • target cell — noun 1. any cell that has a specific receptor for an antigen or antibody or hormone or drug, or is the focus of contact by a virus or phagocyte or nerve fiber etc. • Hypernyms: ↑somatic cell, ↑vegetative cell 2. an abnormal red blood cell with… …   Useful english dictionary

  • target cell — noun a) any cell having a specific receptor for an antibody, antigen or hormone b) an abnormal red blood cell with a ringed appearance, associated with some anemias …   Wiktionary

  • cell — cell1 cell like, adj. /sel/, n. 1. a small room, as in a convent or prison. 2. any of various small compartments or bounded areas forming part of a whole. 3. a small group acting as a unit within a larger organization: a local cell of the… …   Universalium

  • cell-mediated cytotoxicity — cytolysis of a target cell by effector lymphocytes, such as cytotoxic T lymphocytes or NK cells; it may be antibody dependent (see antibody dependent cell mediated c.) or independent, as in certain type IV hypersensitivity reactions (q.v.) …   Medical dictionary

  • cell signaling — synthesis and release by a cell of a substance, such as a hormone, that binds to receptors on and effects a specific response in a target cell …   Medical dictionary

  • target corpuscle — noun see target cell …   Useful english dictionary

  • Cell signaling — is part of a complex system of communication that governs basic cellular activities and coordinates cell actions. [Witzany, G. (2000). Life: The Communicative Structure. Norderstedt, Libri BoD.] The ability of cells to perceive and correctly… …   Wikipedia

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