Patient Education

Heart Health Library

Our Health Library does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their heart health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.

Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.

Antigen

An antigen is a substance (such as part of a virus or bacteria) that triggers the immune system to produce cells (antibodies) that attack and try to destroy the antigen. The body usually produces one specific type of antibody for each antigen.

Sometimes the body mistakenly recognizes its own tissue as an antigen or foreign substance and produces antibodies against its own tissue. This is called an autoimmune response or autoimmune disease.