humoral immunity

The humoral immune response employs antibodies secreted by B lymphocytes, and is a component of the adaptive immune response. In addition to antibody production, the immune system secretes chemical mediators.

Elements of the humoral response include:
● secretion of antibodies
___● neutralization of pathogens and toxins
___● activation of classical complement pathway
___● opsonin production
● stimulation of cellular responses
___● formation of germinal centers
___● activation of helper T cells (Th2)
___● production of memory B lymphocytes
___● opsonin-directed phagocytosis and elimination of pathogens
● chemi-genetic responses
___● isotype switching between immunoglobulin types
___● affinity maturation (combining somatic hypermutation and affinity based clonal selection)
___● production of immune cytokines
___● C9 complement membrane attack complex
___● production of acute phase-inflammatory response mediators

Tables  Complement Receptors  Cytokines  Fc receptors  Immune Cytokines  Immunoglobulins  Interferons  Scavenger Receptors  Toll-like Receptors

tags [Immunology] [antibodies] [cytokine] [helper T]