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Difference between humoral and cell-mediated immunity is that humoral immunity involves antibodies and is also known as antibody-mediated immunity and cell-mediated immunity does not involve antibodies. Cell mediated immunity involves phagocytes ( Phagocytosis ), T lymphocytes activation, and the release of various cytokines in response to antigens. On the other hand, humoral immunity includes macromolecules - antibodies, complement proteins, and antimicrobial Peptides.
| Table of Content |
Key Takeaways: Humoral Immunity, Cell Mediated Immunity, Immunity, lymphocytes, antigen, pathogens, antibodies, complement proteins, cell, plasma membrane, phagocytes, macrophages
What is Cell-mediated immunity?
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Cell-mediated immunity is a kind of immune response that involves activation of NK cells and macrophages and antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes production. There is a release of cytokines in response to a foreign antigen. This is a kind of adaptive response that doesn't involve antibodies.
Cell-mediated immunity is directed at those microbes that survive in phagocytes and microbes that infect non-phagocytic cells. It plays an important role in viral, chlamydia, rickettsia, and protozoan infections such as trypanosomes. Here the antibodies fail to pass through and attack intracellular pathogens which leads to their multiplication in the host cells.
The entire process can be explained below.
- Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) will display the antigens present on their surface and bind to T cells.
- Helper T cells secrete interleukins that facilitate the activation of T cells.
- The MHC-I, the endogenous antigens along with the T cells proliferate and produce the cytotoxic T cells.
- Infected cells exhibiting antigens are destroyed by T cells.
- When exogenous antigens and MHC-II are displayed on the plasma membrane together, the T cells trigger to proliferate helper T cells which release interleukins and cytokines and also arouse the B cells to produce antibodies against them.
- Natural killer cells (NK) and macrophages support the process which leads to the destruction of the antigens.
What is Humoral mediated immunity?
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Also referred to as antibody-mediated immunity, humoral-mediated immunity involves substances found in the humor or body fluids.
It is one of the mechanisms of the active immune system associated with circulating antibodies. This range of antibody activities provides a response to rapid antigen-specific B cells production during infections. This results in an increase in antibody titers.
This kind of immunity is mediated by macromolecules that include secreted antibodies, complement proteins, and certain antimicrobial peptides, located in extracellular fluids.
The entire process is explained below-
- The body is triggered by antigens.
- Binding of antigens to B cells in the blood circulation.
- The B cells initiate B cell proliferation helped by T cells or interleukins which activate plasma B cells.
- Plasma cells carry antibodies that are antigen-specific and have specific binding receptors of the activated B cells.
- These bound antibodies with the antigens travel throughout the body.
- After destroying the antigens, B cells produce memory cells which in turn provide future immunity when the same antigen triggers the body again.
Difference between Cell and Humoral mediated immunity
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The following table shows the difference between cell-mediated and humoral-mediated immunity.
| Cell-mediated immunity | Humoral mediated immunity |
|---|---|
| Mediated by T cells, NK cells, and other cells of the immune system. | Mediated by B cells and other macrophages in extracellular body fluids. |
| Protects the body against intracellular pathogens. | Protects the body against extracellular pathogens. |
| Capable to eliminate tumor cells. Can protect the body against cancer. | Are not capable to eliminate tumor cells. Hence cannot protect the body against cancer. |
| Mediates type 4 hypersensitivity. | Mediates type 1,2,3 hypersensitivity. |
| No antibodies are produced. | Antibodies are produced. |
| Delayed response | Quick response. |
| Can be assessed by a skin test | Can be assessed from the plasma level of antibodies |
| CD 4+ and CD 8 + cells are associated. | CD 4 + cells are associated. |
| Participates in rejection of organ transplant. | Participates in the rejection of early graft rejection. |
| Immunological surveillance is present. | Immunological surveillance is absent. |
Similarities between Cell and Humoral mediated immunity
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While cell-mediated and humoral-mediated immunity has a number of major differences, they are similar in a number of ways.
- They belong to the same group of active immunity.
- They show a lag period.
- Both are against a wide variety of pathogens.
- Both possess immunological memories.
- The cell-mediated and humoral-mediated systems aren’t effective in an individual who is immune deficient.
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Things to Remember
- Our immune system has a community of molecules, cells that eradicate infectious organisms from the body. The immunity or immune system is divided into- Innate (non-specific) and acquired or adaptive (specific) immunity.
- Innate immunity works as a defensive barrier and represents the capability of the organisms to protect against any disease.
- The acquired immunity represents the most potent line of defense mechanisms in the body, known for identifying and destroying specific pathogens or any foreign particles which are harmful to the body.
- Humoral immunity secretes antibodies while cell-mediated immunity secretes cytokines.
- Humoral immunity shows a rapid response while cell-mediated immunity shows a slow response.
- Humoral immunity plays a major role in recognizing antigen or any foreign particle and in producing antibodies against it. It is known for working against extracellular Pathogens.
Sample Questions
Ques. Explain active immunity in brief? (2 Marks)
Ans - Active immunity or innate immunity is the immunity that the individual is born with. The kind of immunity that is encoded in the genes. It comprises two kinds of defenses- external and internal defenses.
Also known as the first line of defense, external defenses protect an organism from pathogen exposure and include things like the skin, tears, and stomach acid.
Internal defenses address a pathogen once it has entered the body. Internal defenses include things like Inflammation and are known as the second line of defense.
Ques. Explain acquired immunity. (2 Marks)
Ans. When the body is exposed to a novel disease agent, B cells, a type of White Blood Cells create antibodies that assist in destroying or neutralizing the disease agent. Antibodies are proteins capable of binding to sites on pathogens called antigens. Acquired immunity is the immunity to a pathogen that occurs following exposure to the said pathogen.
Ques. Mention the primary functions of cell-mediated and humoral-mediated immunity? (2 Marks)
Ans - The primary function of cell-mediated immunity is to protect the body that invades the cells. T cells, cytotoxic T cells, macrophages, and NK cells. The primary function of humoral immunity is to control pathogens that circulate in the body, through the blood and lymph. The cells involved are B cells, T cells, and macrophages.
Ques. Explain the process of cell-mediated immunity. (3 Marks)
Ans - the process of cell-mediated immunity is explained as follows-
- Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) will display the antigens present on their surface and bind to T cells.
- Helper T cells secrete interleukins that facilitate the activation of T cells.
- The MHC-I, the endogenous antigens along with the T cells proliferate and produce the cytotoxic T cells.
- Infected cells exhibiting antigens are destroyed by T cells.
- When exogenous antigens and MHC-II are displayed on the plasma membrane together, the T cells trigger to proliferate helper T cells which release interleukins and cytokines and also arouse the B cells to produce antibodies against them.
- Natural killer cells (NK) and macrophages support the process which leads to the destruction of the antigens.
Ques. State three differences between cell-mediated and humoral-mediated immunity? (2 Marks)
Ans - The differences are -
- Cell-mediated immunity is mediated by T cells, NK cells, and other cells of the immune system. It protects the body against intracellular pathogens. It mediates type 4 immunity.
- Humoral immunity is mediated by B cells and others in the extracellular body fluids. It protects the body against extracellular pathogens. It mediates type 1, 2, and 3 immunity.
Ques. What is immunity? Name the different types. (4 Marks)
Ans - Immunity is the ability of a host to fight against disease-producing organisms and thereby protect itself from foreign bodies.
Our immune system has a community of molecules, cells that eradicate infectious organisms from the body. The immunity or immune system is divided into- a. Innate (non-specific) and b. Acquired or adaptive (specific) immunity.
- Innate immunity works as a defensive barrier and represents the capability of the organisms to protect against any disease.
- The acquired immunity represents the most potent line of defense mechanisms in the body, known for identifying and destroying specific pathogens or any foreign particles which are harmful to the body.
Ques. What are the foods to be consumed to improve the immune system of the body? (4 Marks)
Ans - A well-balanced diet builds up a good immune system. The food must be rich in antioxidants, vitamins., proteins, and healthy fats. Foods that improve the immune system are
- Colorful fruits and vegetables, which are high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
- Healthy fats, like those found in olive oil, avocado, and salmon.
- Fermented foods, such as yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir.
- Food high in fiber, including whole grains and legumes.
- Herbs and spices, such as turmeric, black pepper, garlic, and ginger.
- Nuts and seeds, especially walnuts and flaxseed.
- Dark chocolate.
- Green tea.
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