Medical Glossary

This glossary contains:
19186
medical terms

CD40




CD40

A receptor molecule on the cell surface of all mature B cells (B lymphocytes), most B-cell malignancies, and monocytes, dendritic cells (in the nervous system), endothelial cells (within blood vessels), and epithelial cells. CD40 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily. Together with CD40 ligand, the molecule that binds to it, CD40 is an important contributor to the inflammatory processes that lead to atherosclerosis and thrombosis (clotting). The gene encoding CD40 is on chromosome 20.

RELATED TERMS
--------------------------------------

Receptor
A molecule that recognizes a unique hormone. Once that hormone is bound to the receptor, the information carried by the hormone can now exert its biological action.

Cell
Fundamental structural unit of all life. The cell consists primarily of an outer plasma membrane, which separates it from the environment; the genetic material (DNA), which encodes heritable information for the maintainance of life; and the cytoplasm, a heterogeneous assemblage of ions, molecules, and fluid.

B-cell
The antibody-producing white blood cells.

Dendritic
Referring to a dendrite, a short arm-like protuberance from a nerve cell (a neuron). Dendrites from neurons next to one another are tipped by synapses (tiny transmitters and receivers for chemical messages between the cells).

Endothelial
Relating to the endothelium, the layer of flat cells lining the closed spaces of the body such as the inside of blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, the heart, and body cavities. By contrast, the outside layer of cells that covers all the free, open surfaces of the body including the skin and mucous membranes that communicate with the outside of the body is called the epithelium.

Blood
The life-maintaining fluid which is made up of plasma, red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets; blood circulates through the body's heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries; it carries away waste matter and carbon dioxide, and brings nourishment, electrolytes, hormones, vitamins, antibodies, heat, and oxygen to the tissues.

Epithelial
Of the cells that line the internal and external surfaces of the body.

CD40
A receptor molecule on the cell surface of all mature B cells (B lymphocytes), most B-cell malignancies, and monocytes, dendritic cells (in the nervous system), endothelial cells (within blood vessels), and epithelial cells. CD40 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily. Together with CD40 ligand, the molecule that binds to it, CD40 is an important contributor to the inflammatory processes that lead to atherosclerosis and thrombosis (clotting). The gene encoding CD40 is on chromosome 20.

Tumor
Overgrowth of tissue.

Necrosis
Dead tissue that surrounds healthy tissue in the body.

Atherosclerosis
Also known as arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis results from the accumulation of cholesterol-laden plaque in artery walls. Plaque accumulation causes a narrowing and a loss of elasticity of the arteries, sometimes referred to as hardening of the arteries.

Thrombosis
A blood clot formed in the blood vessel or in the heart.

Gene
1. A unit of DNA that carries information for the biosynthesis of a specific product in the cell. 2. Ultimate unit by which inheritable characteristics are transmitted to succeeding generations in all living organisms. Genes are contained by, and arranged along the length of, the chromosome. The gene is composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Each chromosome of each species has a definite number and arrangement of genes, which govern both the structure and metabolic functions of the cells and thus of the entire organism.

Chromosome
A structural unit within a eukaryotic nucleus that carries genes. A chromosome consists of a long, continuous strand of DNA and associated proteins.



SIMILAR TERMS
--------------------------------------



PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS
--------------------------------------

CBT
Cognitive behavior therapy.

CCHF
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

CCR5
A chemokine receptor found on monocytes and lymphocytes that serves as the coreceptor for HIV. HIV strains that use this coreceptor are referred to as R5 viruses. Polymorphisms in the coding and non-coding regions of the CCR5 gene influence the natural history of HIV infection. CCR5 (or CCCR5) stands for the CC chemokine receptor 5.

CD10
A cell surface enzyme with neutral metalloendopeptidase activity. CD10 is also known as CALLA (common acute lymphocytic leukemia antigen). It serves as a marker for the common form of ALL (acute lymphocytic leukemia) as well as for Burkitt lymphoma and follicular germinal center lymphoma. CD10/CALLA is normally present on the surface of early lymphoid cells as well as on a number of other types of normal cells, such as especially cells in the kidney.

CD4
A large glycoprotein molecule found on the surface of T lymphocytes that serves as the receptor for HIV.

CD40

CDNA
Complementary DNA. cDNA is single-stranded DNA made in the laboratory from a messenger RNA template under the aegis of the enzyme reverse transcriptase. This form of DNA is often used as a probe in the physical mapping of a chromosome.

CEA assay
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a protein found in many types of cells but associated with tumors and the developing fetus.

Cecal
Pertaining to the cecum (also spelled caecum), the first portion of the large bowel, situated in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen.

Celiac disease
A disorder resulting from an immune reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat and related grains, and present in many foods. Celiac disease causes impaired absorption and digestion of nutrients through the small intestine. Symptoms include frequent diarrhea and weight loss. A skin condition dermatitis herpetiformis can be associated with celiac disease. The most accurate test for celiac disease is a biopsy of the involved small bowel. Treatment is to avoid gluten in the diet. Medications are used for refractory (stubborn) celiac disease.

Cell cloning
The process of producing a group of cells (clones), all genetically identical, from a single ancestral cell.

We thank you for using the Medical Glossary to search for CD40. If you have a better definition for CD40 than the one presented here, please let us know by making use of the suggest a term option. This definition of CD40 may be disputed by other professionals. Our attempt is to provide easy definitions on CD40 and any other medical topic for the public at large.
 

This dictionary contains 19186 terms.







d40 / c40 / cd0 / cd4 / ccd40 / cdd40 / cd440 / cd400 / xd40 / sd40 / dd40 / fd40 / vd40 / d40 / ce40 / cr40 / cf40 / cv40 / cc40 / cx40 / cs40 / cw40 / cd50 / cdt0 / cdr0 / cde0 / cd30 / cd4- / cd4[ / cd4p / cd4o / cd49 /