Humoral immunity primarily involves which type of cell?

Humoral immunity primarily involves B cells, which are a crucial component of the adaptive immune response. These cells are responsible for producing antibodies, which are proteins that specifically recognize and bind to antigens—foreign substances like pathogens or toxins. When B cells encounter an antigen, they can differentiate into plasma cells that produce large quantities of antibodies. These antibodies circulate in the blood and lymph, providing a means of neutralizing pathogens and marking them for destruction by other components of the immune system.

This response is distinguished from cell-mediated immunity, which primarily involves T cells. While T cells play a critical role in the immune response, particularly against intracellular pathogens and in coordinating immune functions, humoral immunity is characterized specifically by the action of B cells and their production of antibodies. Other cell types like macrophages and dendritic cells play supportive roles in the immune response, such as presenting antigens to T cells or engulfing pathogens, but they do not directly mediate humoral immunity.