logo
Products
Services
Resources
Selection Guides
About
What are the differences between humoral immunity and cell-dedicated immunity?
Posted November 7, 2023

Answer

Basis of differentiation 

Humoral immunity 

Cell-dedicated immunity

Definition 
Is a form of immunity in which B-lymphocytes and plasma cells produce antibodies to defend against pathogens and foreign substances in the body
Is a form of immunity in which specialized T cells direct target and destroy infected or abnormal cells in the body
Components produced
Produces components of B-cell and T-cell antibodies
Produces components of helper T-cells, cytotoxic T- cells, natural killer (NK)-cells and macrophages
Main cells involved in immunity 

B-cells 
Mature T-cells and lymphocytes
Protection against
Extracellular bacterial or viral pathogens
Viruses, fungi, and intracellular bacterial pathogens
Pathogen recognition and response
Recognizes and reacts to antigens or pathogens circulating in the lymph or blood
Responds to all cells that exhibit anomalous MHC markers, including cells invaded by pathogens, tumor cells, or transplanted cells
Immunological surveillance
Does not provide immunological surveillance
Provides immunological surveillance due to the presence of an MHC class of molecules
Line of defense
Is the first line of defense
Is the second line of defense
Activation
Always active in the body and circulated by body fluid
Only active when triggered by mature T-Cells and macrophages
Type of T-cell involved
Helper T-cell (CD4+
Helper T-cell (CD4+) and cytotoxic T-cell (CD8+
Receptor Involved
B-cell receptors (BCRs)
T-cell receptors (TCRs)
Antigen detectors
Phagocytes and antibodies themselves 
Receptors and MHC molecules present on the cell surfaces 
Antigen processing and presentation 
Not required
Is required for T-lymphocyte mediated response
Antigen Binding
Antibodies, which are produced by B-cells, bind to antigens
T-cells bind to T-cell receptors on cells before binding to antigens
Antibodies formation
Antibodies are formed
Antibodies are not formed 
Onset
Rapid onset
Delayed onset
Result
Activation results in the differentiation of plasma B-cells and secreting antibodies
Activation results in cytokine secretion
Type of hypersensitivity reactions mediated
Hypersensitivity type I, II, and III 
Hypersensitivity type IV 
Immunity against cancer
Does not provide immunity against cancer
Provides protection against cancer by destroying the tumor and cancerous cells
Role in organ transplantation and grafting
May be involved in early graft rejection because of preformed antibodies
Is involved in rejections of organ transplants
Assessment method
From plasma level of antibodies
Skin test for the development of delayed-type of hypersensitivity