8.6 Antigens

. Antigens The term antigen (Ag) is used in two senses, the first to describe a molecule which generates an immune response and the second, a molecule which reacts with antibodies. In general antigens are large, complex molecular substances that can induce a detectable immune response. Thus an antigen is a substance that is specific to an antibody or a T-cell receptor and is often used as a synonym for immunogen. The histocompatibility antigens are cell surface antigens that induce an immune response leading to rejection of allografts. An immunogen is a substance capable of initiating an immune response. Haptens are substance that are non-immunogenic but can react with the products of a specific immune response. Substances that can enhance the immune response to an antigen are called adjuvants . Epitope is an antigenic determinant and is the active part of an antigen. A paratope is the antigen – binding site and is a part of an antibody which recognizes and binds to an antigen. Antigenicity is the property of a substance (antigen) that allows it to react with the products of the specific immune response.