Clonal expansion is the process by which lymphocytes that have recognized a specific antigen rapidly proliferate to mount an effective immune response.
MHC class I molecules present endogenous antigens (from within the cell) to CD8+ cytotoxic T cells.
T cells and B cells are the primary lymphocytes involved in antigen recognition and immune response.
The B cell receptor (BCR) on the surface of B cells binds to specific antigens, initiating the immune response.
The initial event in lymphocyte activation is the recognition of an antigen by a specific receptor on the lymphocyte.
Dendritic cells, macrophages, and B cells are professional antigen-presenting cells that process and present antigens to T cells.
MHC class II molecules present exogenous antigens (from outside the cell) to CD4+ helper T cells.
Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that plays a critical role in the immune response by fighting infections and providing immunity.
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a cytokine that is crucial for the proliferation and survival of activated T cells.
T cell receptors (TCRs) on T cells recognize and bind to antigens presented by MHC molecules on the surface of antigen-presenting cells.
Cytotoxic T cells kill infected cells by secreting perforin and granzymes, which induce apoptosis in the target cells.
