Cytotoxins
| Definition: |
Substances elaborated by microorganisms, plants or animals that are specifically toxic to individual cells; they may be involved in immunity or may be contained in venoms. |
| Notes: |
/antag permitted but consider also ANTITOXINS; coord IM with source of cytotoxin (IM or NIM); cytotoxins are biol matter: do not confuse with antineoplastic agents called "cytotoxic drugs" |
| Also Called: |
Cytolysins |
| Previously Indexed: |
Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic (1973-1977),Toxins (1966-1977),specific cell (1966-1977) |
Cytotoxins Categories.
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Hemolysins - Substances, usually of biological origin, that destroy blood cells; they may be antibodies or other immunologic factors, toxins, enzymes, etc.; hemotoxins are toxic to blood in general, including the clotting mechanism; hematotoxins may refer to the hematopoietic system. |
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Lymphotoxin - Soluble protein of approximately 205 amino acids released by LYMPHOCYTES activated by ANTIGENS or T-cell MITOGENS, that is cytotoxic to other cells. It is involved in allergies and chronic inflammatory diseases. Lymphotoxin is antigenically distinct from tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR), though they both share a common receptor, biological activities, and significant amino acid sequences. |
Cytotoxins Definitions and Terms
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