Condition
Antigen
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.Published 23 April 20051 min read
Key points
- An antigen is any substance that causes your immune system to produce antibodies against it.
- The antigen may be a foreign substance from the environment (such as chemicals, bacteria, viruses, or pollen) or formed within the body (such as bacterial toxins or tissue cells).
Definition
An antigen is any substance that causes your immune system to produce antibodies against it. The antigen may be a foreign substance from the environment (such as chemicals, bacteria, viruses, or pollen) or formed within the body (such as bacterial toxins or tissue cells).
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
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