Every cell in the human body has markers that identify it
Microorganisms (both pathogenic and non-pathogenic), such as bacteria and viruses, also have their own unique markers
These markers are called antigens (which are macromolecules) and they allow cell-to-cell recognition
Antigens are found on cell surface membranes, bacterial cell walls, or the surfaces of viruses
Some glycolipids and glycoproteins on the outer surface of cell surface membranes act as antigens
Antigens can be either self antigens or non-self antigens:
Antigens produced by the organism's own body cells (those that the immune system does not recognise as foreign antigens) are known as self antigens
Self antigens do not stimulate an immune response
Antigens not produced by the organism’s own body cells (those that the immune system recognises as being foreign eg. the antigens found on pathogenic bacteria and viruses or if a person receives a different blood type during a transfusion) are known as non-self antigens