Hapteninduced

Hapteninduced refers to an immune response triggered by a hapten. A hapten is a small molecule that can elicit an immune response only when attached to a larger carrier molecule, such as a protein. Without the carrier, the hapten is too small to be recognized by the immune system. When a hapten binds to a carrier, it forms a hapten-carrier conjugate. This conjugate is then recognized as foreign by the immune system, leading to the production of antibodies against the hapten. This process is known as haptenization. The immune response can be cellular or humoral, involving T cells and B cells respectively. Allergic reactions are a common example of hapteninduced responses. Certain drugs, chemicals, and even components of plants can act as haptens. When these substances bind to self-proteins in the body, they can trigger an immune response that may manifest as skin rashes, itching, or more severe systemic reactions. The immune system's ability to recognize these hapten-carrier conjugates is crucial for immune surveillance, but it can also lead to detrimental hypersensitivity reactions in susceptible individuals. Understanding hapteninduced immunity is important in fields such as toxicology, pharmacology, and immunology.