macrophage
Large phagocytic cell, derived from the blood monocyte, which also functions as an antigen-presenting cell and can mediate ADCC.

mast cell
A tissue cell with abundant granules which resembles the blood basophil. Both these cell types bear Fc receptors for IgE, which when crosslinked by IgE and antigen cause degranulation and the release of a number of mediators including histamine and leukotrienes.

memory cells
Clonally expanded T- and B-cells produced during a primary immune response and which are ‘primed’ to mediate a secondary immune response to the original antigen.

MHC (Major Histocompatibility Complex)
A genetic region encoding molecules involved in antigen presentation to T-cells. Class I MHC molecules are present on virtually all nucleated cells and are encoded mainly by the H-2K, D, and L loci in mice and by HLA-A, B, and C in man, whilst class II MHC molecules are expressed on antigen-presenting cells (primarily macrophages, B-cells and interdigitating dendritic cells) and are encoded by H-2A and E in mice and HLA-DR, DQ and DP in man. Allelic differences can be associated with the most intense graft rejection within a species.

monocyte
Mononuclear phagocyte found in blood and which is the precursor of the tissue macrophage.

mycose
A variety of sugar, isomeric with sucrose and obtained from certain lichens and fungi.

myocyte
A muscle cell.