Glossary of Research Terms
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Adhesion molecule -
A protein that promotes the binding of one cell to another
or to the extracellular matrix.
Antibody - A protein made
by a plasma cell (mature B cell) that protects the body against
foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses.
Antigen - A substance that
is bound by antibodies. The name ‘antigen’ arises
from the ability to generate antibodies. Viral and bacterial
molecules and even the body’s own molecules can be antigens.
Angiogenesis - The formation
of new blood vessels.
Antigen presenting cell -
A specialized cell that sticks pieces of antigen combined with
self ‘display’ molecules on its surface for passing
immune cells to survey. Dendritic cells, macrophages and B
cells are the main antigen-presenting cells.
Astrocyte - A support cell
in the central nervous system (CNS) that attaches to both nerve
cells and blood vessels; provides metabolic, nutritional and
physical support. Astrocytes make the scars on damaged tissue
during MS.
B cell - An antibody-making
lymphocyte (white blood cell) originating in the bone marrow.
Blood brain barrier (BBB) -
A barrier formed by a continuous layer of tightly connected
endothelial cells; prevents most large molecules and cells
found in the blood from entering the brain tissue.
Central nervous system (CNS) -
The brain and the spinal cord; all parts can be affected by
multiple sclerosis.
Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) -
The fluid that bathes the surfaces of the central nervous system.
Chemokine - A protein beacon
that attracts white blood cells bearing a receptor for the
chemokine.
Cytokine - A small messenger
molecule that influences the actions of immune system cells;
also called a lymphokine or interleukin (IL). There are many
different cytokines, each acting only on cells that have receptors
for that cytokine.
Demyelination - Process
during which myelin is stripped from nerve fibres.
Dendritic cells –
A white blood cell that is bone-marrow derived and specializes
in presenting antigen to T cells.
Differentiation - A series
of steps that cells go through to reach their mature state.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) -
The code of genetic instructions that shapes the development
of every individual. DNA is shaped as a double helix and is
made up of nucleic acid-sugar complexes loosely bound to proteins.
EDSS - Expanded Disability
Status Score is a test for measuring the disability level of
a person with MS; also known as the Kurtkze Scale after, Dr.
John Kurtzke.
Endothelial cell - Lines
the heart and blood vessels of the circulatory and immune systems;
forms the blood brain barrier (BBB).
Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
(EAE) - An MS-like disease created in laboratory
mice after they are injected with CNS tissue or a derivative
of myelin basic protein.
Gene - Pieces of DNA that
include the genetic code for making body proteins; located
on chromosomes.
Glial cell – Support
cells in the nervous system; oligodendrocytes, astrocytes and
microglial cells in the central nervous system and Schwann
cells in the peripheral nervous system.
HRQL (Health Related Quality of
Life) - Quality of life of people with MS based
on patient-perceived functional status and well-being.
Immunoglobulin - The membrane-bound
version of antibody that binds antigens and signals the B cell
to secrete antibodies.
Inflammation – Normally
protective response to physical/chemical injury, infection
or a local immune response leading to tissue damage where loss
of function may accompany swelling, redness, heat and pain;
fluid, white blood cells and plasma proteins accumulate.
Interferons (IFN) - Cytokines
that help cells to fight viruses. Alpha interferon and beta
interferon are made by white blood cells, fibroblasts and other
cells. (Manufactured versions are useful as MS treatments.)
Gamma interferon is produced by inflammatory T cells and natural
killer cells and its main action is to trigger macrophages
to help fight infection. Gamma interferon makes MS worse.
Lipid - Fat soluble. A
term describing the ability of molecules, such as fats, fatty
acids and soaps, to dissolve in fat.
Lymphocytes - White blood
cells (B cells, T cells and NK cells) of the immune system
that fight specific infections.
Macrophage - An immune
cell that is among the first line of defence against invaders;
also acts as antigen presenting cells. Macrophages are called
different names depending where they are found in the body
(e.g. microglial cells in the brain).
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) -
A technological tool that detects energy released from hydrogen
atoms to create anatomical images. MR images of soft tissues
of the body including the brain and spinal cord clearly show
MS lesions and may be used to track disease progress.
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy
(MRS) - A technological tool similar to magnetic
resonance imaging but providing chemical rather than anatomical
information. MRS is most useful when evaluating trials of
new treatments by measuring disease severity and progression.
Mast cell - Originates
in the bone marrow; involved in allergic responses.
Memory B cells - B cells
living in the body for long periods of time; can be triggered
to make antibodies.
Microglia - Macrophage-like
cells that reside in the brain; ‘eat’ cellular
debris and stimulate immune responses.
Monocyte - A white blood
cell that resides only in the blood. Once it migrates into
the tissues, a monocyte is called a macrophage.
Morphogen - Diffusable
substance that influences movement and organization of cells
during development.
MSQLI - The Multiple Sclerosis
Quality of Life Inventory is a questionnaire designed to evaluate
the burden of disease experienced by people with MS.
Myelin basic protein (MBP) -
One of the principal proteins found in myelin.
Myelin - A collection of
proteins and lipids that make up the myelin sheath; speeds
transmission of signals along nerve fibres.
Myelin is made by cells in the central nervous
system called oligodendrocytes. These cells wrap themselves
around nerve axons very many times to form a protective myelin
sheath. The myelin increases the speed at which nerve signals
travel along axons. In MS, myelin is vulnerable to attack from
the immune system.
Myelin sheath - 1-200 insulating
layers of myelin surrounding nerve fibres in the central and
peripheral nervous system.
Nerve fibre (axon) - The
slender, long branch extending from a nerve cell that carries
nerve impulses to adjacent nerve cells throughout the body.
Most nerve fibres are surrounded by 1-200 layers of myelin.
Neuroglia (glial cells) -
Supporting, non-impulse generating cells of the nervous system
(e.g. astrocytes and oligodendrocytes).
Neuron - A cell within
the nervous system that consists of a cell body and the associated
membrane extensions, called dendrites when highly branched,
or axons when minimally branched. Nerve impulses travel along
nerve axons.
NK cells - Natural Killer
cells are a group of lymphocytes (not T or B cells) that can
kill some virally infected and tumor cells.
Oligodendrocyte - The cell
in the CNS that makes and maintains myelin; wraps its myelin-filled
membranes around nerve fibres (axons).
Peptide - A chain of amino
acid building blocks strung together. The chain can be two
(di-) amino acids, three (tri-) amino acids, or more (poly-)
amino acids in length.
Peripheral nervous system (PNS) -
Nervous system in the body aside from the brain and spinal
cord. The PNS can be affected by MS.
Plaque - An area of myelin
loss characteristic of multiple sclerosis.
PLP (Proteolipid Protein) -
One of the major proteins found in the myelin sheath.
Remyelination - Process
during which myelin is re-added to nerve fibres by oligodendrocytes
or Schwann cells.
Schwann cell - The cell
in the peripheral nervous system that makes and maintains myelin.
T cell - Immune cells that
fight infections. Two broad categories are alpha-beta and gamma-delta
T cells. Alpha-beta subsets include helper T cells (CD4+) and
killer T cells (CD8+).
T cell receptor (TCR) -
A protein found on the surface of T cells. Alpha-beta TCR binds
to bits of foreign peptides (or sometimes body peptides, like
myelin) attached to cell surface ‘display’ proteins
on antigen presenting cells.
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -
TNF alpha and TNF beta; cytokine made by macrophages and some
T cells; toxic to tumor cells; plays role in inflammatory responses.
Transgenic mice - Mice
that contain genes from another source (animal or human); derives
from ‘trans’ (other) and ‘genic’ (genes).
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