word

Innate Immune Memory

ih-NAYT ih-MYOON MEM-uh-ree

/ɪˈneɪt ɪˈmjuːn ˈmɛməri/

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Syllable breakdown

innateimmunememory

Dictionary meaning

Also called 'trained immunity', the phenomenon whereby innate immune cells (particularly monocytes and NK cells) undergo epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming after a first encounter with a pathogen, resulting in an enhanced non-specific response to subsequent stimuli.

Examples

BCG vaccination appears to confer protection against unrelated infections through innate immune memory.

Synonyms: trained immunity, non-specific immune memory

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