Information About

Cell-mediated Immune Response




# activating antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes that are able to lyse body cells displaying epitopes of foreign antigen on their surface, such as Virus -infected cells, cells with intracellular Bacteria , and cancer cells displaying Tumor antigens;
# activating macrophages and natural killer cells, enabling them to destroy intracellular pathogens; and
# stimulating cells to secrete a variety of cytokines that influence the function of other cells involved in adaptive immune responses and innate immune responses.

Cell-mediated immunity is directed primarily at microbes that survive in Phagocytes and Microbes that infect non-phagocytic cells. It is most effective in removing virus-infected cells, but also participates in defending against Fungi , Protozoan s, Cancer s, and intracellular bacteria. It also plays a major role in Transplant Rejection .