Immunogenne

Immunogenne is a proposed term in immunology used to describe a gene or genetic element associated with the generation or regulation of immune responses to antigens. The term is not part of standard nomenclature and its precise meaning varies between sources, sometimes functioning as a placeholder for either a molecule that directly constitutes an immunogenic determinant or a locus that modulates immunogenicity.

In some usages, immunogenne denotes a gene encoding an immunogenic protein or peptide that can be processed and presented by MHC molecules and recognized by T or B cells. In other usages, it refers to host genetic loci that influence how strongly an antigen is perceived by the immune system, through effects on antigen processing, presentation, co-stimulation, or cytokine signaling. The concept emphasizes the genetic basis of immunogenicity rather than a single biochemical entity.

Functional roles attributed to immunogenne include shaping which epitopes are emphasized during an immune response and determining individual variation in vaccine responsiveness and susceptibility to immune-mediated diseases. Because the term is not standardized, researchers may classify immunogenne-related effects as structural, processing-related, or regulatory.

Applications of the concept appear in discussions of vaccine design, neoantigen discovery, and immunotherapy safety, where understanding genetic factors that affect immunogenicity can inform antigen selection and risk assessment. However, the lack of a formal definition means that immunogenne remains a theoretical construct rather than a universally recognized category.

See also: immunogen, epitope, antigen, immunogenicity, MHC, vaccine, immunogenomics.