Structured Summary
Abstract
Multinucleated masses produced by the fusion of many cells; often associated with viral infections. In AIDS, they are induced when the envelope glycoprotein of the HIV virus binds to the CD4 antigen of uninfected neighboring T4 cells. The resulting syncytium leads to cell death and thus may account for the cytopathic effect of the virus.
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Synonyms
13 entry terms
- Giant Cells, Multinucleated
- Multinucleated Giant Cells
- Polykaryocytes
- Syncytia
- Syncytium
- Cell, Giant
- Cell, Multinucleated Giant
- Cells, Giant
- Cells, Multinucleated Giant
- Giant Cell
- Giant Cell, Multinucleated
- Multinucleated Giant Cell
- Polykaryocyte
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Aspects Covered
15 allowable subheadings
Indexed with the subheadings chemistry, classification, cytology, drug effects, enzymology, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, radiation effects, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.
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History Note
90
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Previous Indexing
- Cell Fusion (1972-1989)
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References
- National Library of Medicine. Giant Cells. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D015726. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D015726
- Giant Cells. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_cell
- Giant Cells. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2152526