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Antigen

Reviewed By David C. Dugdale III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department…more »

Definition

An antigen is any substance that causes your immune system to produce antibodies against it. An antigen may be a foreign substance from the environment such as chemicals, bacteria, viruses, or pollen. An antigen may also be formed within the body, as with bacterial toxins or tissue cells.

Date Last Reviewed: 08/10/2009
Copyright: ADAM Health Illustrated Encyclopedia

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