Vaccine and Immunology

Cellular Immunology & Latest Innovations

The intricate interactions and actions of the many different cell types involved in the immune response make up the response to infections. The initial line of defense, the innate immune response, takes place shortly after a pathogen is exposed. It is executed by granulocytes, cytotoxic natural killer (NK) cells, and phagocytic cells such neutrophils and macrophages. It may take days for the ensuing adaptive immune response, which consists of defense mechanisms unique to each antigen, to mature. Antigen-presenting cells, such as macrophages and dendritic cells play important roles in adaptive immunity. The activation of different cell types, such as macrophages, B cells, and T cell subsets, in response to antigens is essential for host defense.