antigenitás

Antigenitás is a term used in immunology to describe the absence of antigens. Antigens are molecules, typically on the surface of cells or microorganisms, that can provoke an immune response. When an entity is described as antigenitic, it means it does not possess recognizable antigens or its antigens are not detectable by the immune system. This can occur for several reasons. For example, some cells may naturally lack surface markers that would identify them as foreign or abnormal to the immune system. In other cases, pathogens or cells might have evolved mechanisms to suppress or evade immune detection, effectively masking their antigens. Transplanted organs or tissues, if not properly matched, can be recognized by the recipient's immune system due to the presence of foreign antigens. Conversely, a lack of these foreign antigens would contribute to successful transplantation without rejection. The concept of antigenitás is therefore crucial in understanding immune tolerance, transplantation biology, and the strategies employed by pathogens to evade host defenses. It highlights the specificity of immune recognition and the importance of the "self" versus "non-self" distinction.