memory b vs memory t cells

[km1865]

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Hi,

I was a little confused about the exact difference between memory b and memory T cells. I know memory b cells recognize antigens upon secondary exposure, but even though memory T cells are involved in the secondary response, they don't necesarilly recognize antigens right? So do they just activate killer/cytotoxic t cells to kill the ALREADY INFECTED cells?

Thanks!

 

[Kalamazoo]

"Memory T cells have become "experienced" by having encountered antigen during a prior infection, encounter with cancer, or previous vaccination. At a second encounter with the invader, memory T cells can reproduce to mount a faster and stronger immune response than the first time the immune system responded to the invader. " -Wikipedia

 

[km1865]

okay, so essentially the difference then is that memory b cells recognize the antigens on the bad cell/invader and tag it with their antibodies and these tagged cells are eventually engulfed by phagocytes right? So, the tagged cells do not necesarily have to be infected in order to be engulfed...?

As for the memory T cells, they also recognize the antigen on secondary exposure, but rather than tag the invader (which they cannot since T cells produce no antibodies) they just activate effector cells which produce killer/cytotoxic cells that eventually kill the ALREADY infected cells??

Im so confused, any help would be appreciated ALOT. THANKS!

 

[Temperature101]

okay, so essentially the difference then is that memory b cells recognize the antigens on the bad cell/invader and tag it with their antibodies and these tagged cells are eventually engulfed by phagocytes right? So, the tagged cells do not necesarily have to be infected in order to be engulfed...?

As for the memory T cells, they also recognize the antigen on secondary exposure, but rather than tag the invader (which they cannot since T cells produce no antibodies) they just activate effector cells which produce killer/cytotoxic cells that eventually kill the ALREADY infected cells??

Im so confused, any help would be appreciated ALOT. THANKS!

What you have said is essentially correct...Therefore, you are not confused.

 

[MT Headed]

km, you are like 99% of the way there. I think you might be missing one subtle point that pops up on the mcat.

The humoral immunity produces antibodies, as you describe above. These antibodies are like stickers that float around in you body fluids ("humors") and they stick to foreign substances to disable them and/or mark them for destruction.

The cell-mediated immunity system recognizes your own misbehaving cells (probably because they are invaded by a virus or something), and arrange for them to be killed by killer T cells.

Once you get it down that (cell-mediated=my own cells), and (humoral=foreign cell or non-cell material), you are one step ahead of the guy next to you taking the same mcat.

 

[km1865]

THANKS! That was really helpful!

 

[Izak]

km, you are like 99% of the way there. I think you might be missing one subtle point that pops up on the mcat.

The humoral immunity produces antibodies, as you describe above. These antibodies are like stickers that float around in you body fluids ("humors") and they stick to foreign substances to disable them and/or mark them for destruction.

The cell-mediated immunity system recognizes your own misbehaving cells (probably because they are invaded by a virus or something), and arrange for them to be killed by killer T cells.

Once you get it down that (cell-mediated=my own cells), and (humoral=foreign cell or non-cell material), you are one step ahead of the guy next to you taking the same mcat.

Well clarified!