Adaptive Immunity related Antibody Products

Overview of Adaptive Immunity

The adaptive immune system, also termed the acquired or specific immune system, is a component of the immune system comprising specialized cells and processes that target and eliminate pathogens or inhibit their growth. Alongside the innate immune system, it represents one of the two principal immune strategies in vertebrates. Unlike the innate immune system, which is inherently designed to react to broad categories of pathogens, the adaptive immune system exhibits high specificity tailored to each individual pathogen it confronts. It generates immunological memory following an initial response, enhancing future responses to the same pathogen. Antibodies play a crucial role in this system, often providing long-lasting, sometimes lifelong protection.

Fig.1 Summary of the mechanisms involved in the primary adaptive immune response.¹

Attribute of Adaptive Immunity and Innate Immunity

The immune system defends the body against various immunological diseases. It consists of two principal subsystems: the adaptive immune system and the innate immune system. The innate immune system delivers a predetermined reaction to a diverse array of immunological triggers, whereas the adaptive immune system reacts uniquely to each stimulus by recognizing the molecular signals employed by immune cells. Key immune cells, including lymphocytes, dendritic cells, NK cells, and macrophages, interact with various organic substances. Secreted antibodies against pathogens mediate primary immunomodulatory effects, maintaining immunological homeostasis. The immune system creates a self-defense strategy against numerous pathogens through three layers of protection: anatomical and physiological barriers, innate immune responses, and adaptive immunity mediated by T and B cells.

Fig.2 The characteristics of innate and adaptive immune cells in immune response.²

The Functions of Adaptive Immunity

Acquired immunity in vertebrates is initiated when a pathogen bypasses the innate immune system, reaching a critical antigen threshold and triggering dendritic cell activation. The primary functions of the acquired immune system are:

• Generating responses specifically designed to eliminate particular pathogens or infected cells.
• Recognizing specific "non-self" antigens while distinguishing them from "self" during antigen presentation.
• Developing immunological memories, wherein memory B cells and memory T cells "remember" past pathogens.