Adaptive Immunity

Adaptive immune response or adaptive immunity is more advanced form of immunity, which is also called as ‘acquired immune response’ or ‘delayed immune response’ as it may take days to respond to the pathogens, but it is more persistent and effective. Two major types of cells play role in adaptive immune response viz. lymphocytes and antigen-presenting cells. Adaptive immunity is of two types- humoral immunity, mediated by B-lymphocytes involving antibodies and cell-mediated immunity, mediated by T-lymphocytes through cell-cell interaction. Adaptive immunity can be passive, when preformed antibodies are administered or active when the body of the person is sensitized to produce its own antibodies. The production of antibodies is based on identification of ‘self’ and ‘non-self’ cells. Sometimes the immune system may not respond suitably to the pathogen or may attack its own cells, such conditions lead to several immune dysfunctions including autoimmunity. Innate and adaptive immune responses interact with each other to provide necessary protection to the body.