Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
anaphylatoxin

anaphylatoxin

9.9
A substance made by the immune system that causes swelling and attracts immune cells during an allergic reaction
  • noun
  • /ˌænəˌfaɪləˈtɑksɪn/
  • Specialized
: anafilatoxina
  • During an allergic reaction, the body releases anaphylatoxins that help recruit immune cells to the site of inflammation.

Examples

  • The presence of anaphylatoxins in the bloodstream indicates that the immune system is responding to an allergen.

  • Elevated serum levels of the complement anaphylatoxins such as C5a can also contribute to endothelial dysfunction.

    Academic text (2018)

  • Researchers studied how anaphylatoxins influence the severity of inflammation in allergic asthma patients.

Synonyms

histamine
vsanaphylatoxin
  • Specialized
7 5.0

A chemical made in the body that causes allergy symptoms like itching and sneezing

attracts immune cells and causes inflammation rather than focusing on gastric effects

Surface Forms

anaphylatoxin singular
anaphylatoxins plural

Morphology

anaphylatoxin = anaphylaxis + toxin (opaque) = anaphyl + toxin

Although formed from 'anaphylaxis' + 'toxin', the term is a technical medical compound whose specific immunological sense is not predictable for average learners.

Etymology

Anaphylatoxin comes from the word anaphylaxis ('a severe allergic reaction') plus the part -toxin ('poison'). So, anaphylatoxin is a substance made during allergic reactions that acts like a tiny 'poison', causing quick inflammation and attracting white blood cells.