Humoral immune response effector functions

Humoral immune response. An immune response in which specific antibodies induce the effector functions (such as phagocytosis and activation of the complement system). 

Because Ig is the primary effector for humoral immunity, this component of the immune system is associated with the activities of antigen-specific B cells. The steps involved in an acquired immune response by B cells and the regulation of B-cell activity are depicted in Figure 2 and described later. In this section, the emphasis will be on the specific contributions that Ig makes in the functioning of the immune system. The basic structure of the Ig or antibody molecule consists of four protein chains of two types - that is, two identical light chains and two... 

The primary functions of lymphocytes are to control and be the effector cells for the immune system. Many of these cells also are important synthetic sites for various cytokines. Lymphocytes can be functionally divided into cells that display cell-mediated immunity (T cells) and those that are responsible for humoral immunity (B cells Table 98-2). Several different T-cell subtypes are found in peripheral blood. These include the cytotoxic suppressor T cells (CDS), which attack intracellular pathogens and regulate the size and duration of the immune response, as well as helper T cells (CD4). The latter cells are responsible for delayed hypersensitivity, stimulation of B-ceU differentiation (maturation), and antibody production, in addition to regulation of inflammatory reactions. B lymphocytes ultimately become plasma cells, which produce immunoglobulin specific for an antigen attached to the cell s surface. 

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