Question

Discuss the major differences between humoral and cell-mediated immunity, including cell types involved and the end result of the immune process. Why is it essential to have both a humoral as well as a cell-mediated immune response in order to have a fully competent immune system?

Answer 1

Humoral and cell Mediated Immune Response Together form the complete complement system

Humoral Immune Response

The humoral immune response is majorly the immune response triggered by presence of antibodies. It majorly included the B-cells that are able to recognize antigens or foreign pathogens which circulate through the blood or lymph. The B-cells are responsible for producing the antibodies and they bind to specific antigens. As the antibodies binds to the antigens, it leads to neutralization and elimination of the antigen through effector mechanism. As antigens bind to the antibodies, helper T-cells helps B-cells and initiates B-cell proliferation. The B-cells proliferate and produce plasma cells which have the antibodies and they bind to specific antigens. This increases the population and circulation of the antibodies. The B-cells produce memory cells and it remembers that particular antigen.

Cell Mediate Immune Response

The cell mediated immune response is mediated and initiated by the T-cells and no antibodies are formed in this. The cells involved in this are the T-Helper cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes and the T-helper cells are also responsible for producing the cytokines which activate the phagocytic cells. The phagocytic cells are responsible for killing the microbes by engulfing it. The antigen presenting cells display the foreign antigens that bind to T-cells and it is stimulated by interleukins. The MHC-I are involved which has the antigens and it is destroyed by the CTL and the MHC-II and exogenous antigens are displayed on plasma membrane, helper T cells release interleukins and stimulate B-cells to produce antigens and destroy the antigens.

In this it is seen that both the immune response are important because destruction of different antigens and their mechanism is different. In order to keep the body free of pathogens and foreign pathogens, both immune response play an equal role.