See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/320180727

Difference Between Humoral and Cell Mediated Immunity

Article · September 2017

CITATION READS
1 160,635

1 author:

Lakna Panawala
The Biology Blog - WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF BIOLOGY
198 PUBLICATIONS   35 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Molecular Biology View project

Biochemistry View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Lakna Panawala on 03 October 2017.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

10/3/2017 Difference Between Humoral and Cell Mediated Immunity | Definition, Characteristics, How They Act

EXPLORE  Type here to search... 

Home » Science » Biology » Human Anatomy » Difference Between Humoral and Cell Mediated Immunity

Difference Between Humoral and Cell Mediated

Immunity
September 28, 2017 • by Lakna • 6 min read

Main Difference – Humoral Immunity vs Cell mediated immunity

Humoral immunity and cell mediated immunity are two types of adaptive immunity. Adaptive immunity generates an
antigen-specific immune response. During adaptive immunity, the antigen is first recognized through receptors of the
lymphocytes, and immune cell clones are produced to attack that particular antigen. Humoral immunity is triggered by
B cells while cell mediated immunity is triggered by T cells. The main difference between humoral and cell mediated
immunity is that antigen-specific antibodies are produced in humoral immunity whereas antibodies are not
produced in cell mediated immunity. Instead, T cells destroy the infected cells by inducing apoptosis.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Humoral Immunity
– Definition, Characteristics, How it Acts
2. What is Cell Mediated Immunity
– Definition, Characteristics, How it Acts
3. What are the Similarities Between Humoral and Cell Mediated Immunity
– Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Humoral and Cell Mediated Immunity
– Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms: Antibodies, Cell mediated immunity, Cytotoxic T cells, Extracellular Pathogens, Helper T Cells, Humoral
Immunity, Intracellular Pathogens, Opsonization, Phagocytosis, Plasma B Cells

http://pediaa.com/difference-between-humoral-and-cell-mediated-immunity/ 1/8
10/3/2017 Difference Between Humoral and Cell Mediated Immunity | Definition, Characteristics, How They Act

What is Humoral Immunity

Humoral immunity is the immunity generated by circulating antibodies. It is a component of adaptive immunity,
which generates specific immune responses to a particular foreign material. The extracellular spaces of the body are

http://pediaa.com/difference-between-humoral-and-cell-mediated-immunity/ 2/8
10/3/2017 Difference Between Humoral and Cell Mediated Immunity | Definition, Characteristics, How They Act

protected by humoral immunity. Most pathogens that invade the body multiply in the extracellular spaces.
Intracellular pathogens move from one cell to another through the extracellular space. Therefore, extracellular space is
an important place to destroy pathogens. Antibodies are produced and secreted by plasma B cells. Typically, the
activation of B cells occurs in T helper cells.

Figure 1: Opsonization

Antibodies destroy pathogens in three ways. They bind to the specific molecules on the surface of the pathogen,
neutralizing the pathogen. This neutralization prevents the entering of the pathogen to the cells. It is also important to
prevent bacterial toxins. The antibody-caught pathogens are subjected to phagocytosis by macrophages and other
cells. This process is called opsonization. The binding of antibodies to the pathogens activates the complement
system. The complement proteins bind to the antibody-bound pathogens and recruit phagocytic cells. The
opsonization is shown in figure 1.

What is Cell Mediated Immunity

Cell mediated immunity is the immunity mediated by antigen-specific T cells. T cells are produced in the bone
marrow and are matured in the thymus. After they enter the bloodstream, T cells occur can be found in the blood as
well as in lymphoid tissue. The antigens should be presented on the surface of the antigen-presenting cells (APCs)
along with the major histocompatibility complexes (MHC). Once T cells encounter an antigen, they proliferate and
differentiate into armed effector cells. The cytotoxic T cells destroy the infected cells by inducing apoptosis. T helper
cells stimulate plasma B cells to produce antibodies.

http://pediaa.com/difference-between-humoral-and-cell-mediated-immunity/ 3/8
10/3/2017 Difference Between Humoral and Cell Mediated Immunity | Definition, Characteristics, How They Act

Figure 2: Cell Mediated Immunity

The IgG and IgM are the main two types of antibodies produced by T helper cells in response to plasma B cells. The
memory T cells are differentiated T cells, but their action requires the activation by the specific antigen. The major
characteristic feature of the cell mediated immunity is that it destroys intracellular pathogens. The cell mediated
immunity is shown in figure 2.

Similarities Between Humoral Immunity and Cell Mediated

Immunity
Humoral immunity and cell mediated immunity are two types of adaptive immunity.
Both humoral immunity and cell mediated immunity produce a specific immune response to a particular
pathogen.

Difference Between Humoral and Cell Mediated Immunity

Definition
Humoral Immunity: Humoral immunity refers to a component of the adaptive immunity where B cells secrete
antibodies, which circulate in the blood as a soluble protein.

http://pediaa.com/difference-between-humoral-and-cell-mediated-immunity/ 4/8
10/3/2017 Difference Between Humoral and Cell Mediated Immunity | Definition, Characteristics, How They Act

Cell Mediated Immunity: Cell mediated immunity refers to the other component of the adaptive immunity, which is
mediated by the activated, antigen-specific T cells.

Main Cells
Humoral Immunity: The humoral immunity is mediated by B cells.

Cell Mediated Immunity: The cell mediated immunity is mediated by T cells.

Cell Types
Humoral Immunity: Humoral immunity is mediated by T cells, B cells, and macrophages.

Cell Mediated Immunity: Cell mediated immunity is mediated by helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells, natural killer
cells, and macrophages.

Action
Humoral Immunity: The humoral immunity acts on the extracellular microbes and their toxins.

Cell Mediated Immunity: The cell mediated immunity acts on intracellular microbes such as viruses, bacteria, and
parasites and tumor cells.

Receptors
Humoral Immunity: The BCR receptors are involved in the humoral immunity.

Cell Mediated Immunity: The TCR receptors are involved in the cell mediated immunity.

Accessory Surface Molecules

Humoral Immunity: The Igα, Igβ, CD40, CD21, and Fc receptors are the accessory receptors of the humoral
immunity.

Cell Mediated Immunity: The CD2, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD28, and integrins are the accessory receptors of the cell
mediated immunity.

Role of MHC Molecules

Humoral Immunity: The unprocessed antigens are recognized by the humoral immunity.

Cell Mediated Immunity: The antigens are processed and presented by MHC complexes in the cell mediated
immunity.

http://pediaa.com/difference-between-humoral-and-cell-mediated-immunity/ 5/8
10/3/2017 Difference Between Humoral and Cell Mediated Immunity | Definition, Characteristics, How They Act

Secretion
Humoral Immunity: The plasma B cells secrete antibodies in the humoral immunity.

Cell Mediated Immunity: The T cells secrete cytokines.

Onset
Humoral Immunity: The humoral immune response is rapid.

Cell Mediated Immunity: The cell-mediated immune response is a delayed type of hypersensitivity.

Tumor Cells and Transplants

Humoral Immunity: The humoral immunity does not act on the tumor cells and transplants.

Cell Mediated Immunity: The cell mediated immunity acts on tumor cells and transplants.

Conclusion
Humoral immunity and cell mediated immunity are two types of adaptive immunity in which a specific immune
response is produced for a particular pathogen. Antibodies are produced by the plasma T cells in the humoral
immunity. In cell mediated immunity, T cells induce the apoptosis of the infected cells. Humoral immunity destroys
the extracellular pathogens whereas cell mediated immunity destroys the intracellular pathogens. This is the difference
between humoral and cell mediated immunity.

Reference:
1. Janeway, Charles A, and Jr. “The Humoral Immune Response.” Immunobiology: The Immune System in Health
and Disease. 5th edition., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 Jan. 1970, Available here. Accessed 20 Sept. 2017.
2. “Cell mediated immunity.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 31 Aug. 2017, Available here. Accessed 20 Sept.
2017.

Image Courtesy:
1. “Opsonin” By GrahamColm at English Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “2218 Clonal Selection and Expansion of T Lymphocytes” By OpenStax College – Anatomy & Physiology,
Connexions Web site. Jun 19, 2013. (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

About the Author: Lakna

http://pediaa.com/difference-between-humoral-and-cell-mediated-immunity/ 6/8
10/3/2017 Difference Between Humoral and Cell Mediated Immunity | Definition, Characteristics, How They Act

Lakna, a graduate in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, is a Molecular Biologist and has a
broad and keen interest in the discovery of nature related things

View all posts

You May Also Like These

Leave a Comment

Name * Email * Website

Comment

Post Comment

You May Like

http://pediaa.com/difference-between-humoral-and-cell-mediated-immunity/ 7/8
 View publication stats

10/3/2017 Difference Between Humoral and Cell Mediated Immunity | Definition, Characteristics, How They Act

Difference Between
Lymphatic and Immune
System

Difference Between
Trachea and Esophagus

Difference Between
Humoral and Cell
Mediated Immunity

Difference Between
Lymphocytes and
Phagocytes

Difference Between
Ganglia and Nuclei

Copyright © 2017 Pediaa.Com. Contact About Us

http://pediaa.com/difference-between-humoral-and-cell-mediated-immunity/ 8/8