Adaptive immune response
The adaptive immune response is the part of the immune defense that specifically targets certain antigens. It is mediated primarily by B and T cells and can develop immunological memory.
Detailed description
The adaptive immune response develops after exposure to specific antigens, such as components of pathogens. B and T cells play a central role in this response. B cells can differentiate into plasma cells that produce specific antibodies. T cells perform a variety of functions: among other things, they can regulate other immune cells or recognize and eliminate infected cells.
Following an immune response, long-lived memory B and T cells often remain in the body. Upon subsequent exposure to the same antigen, they generally enable a faster and more effective immune response. This immunological memory is a key mechanism underlying the protective effect of vaccination.
