Lymphocyte (antigen-sensitive)

Antigen-sensitive lymphocytes refer to cells of the adaptive immune system—primarily B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes—that possess specific surface receptors enabling them to recognize and respond to foreign antigens. Once they encounter their cognate antigen (B cells via B cell receptor/immunoglobulin, T cells via T cell receptor), these cells become activated, proliferate, and differentiate into effector and memory cells to mount an immune response. They play essential roles in both cellular (T cells) and humoral (B cells) immunity, are central to immunological memory, and are implicated in defense against infections, the development of vaccines, autoimmunity, and cancer immunosurveillance[1][2][3][4][5].

Other names

Antigen-reactive lymphocyteadaptive immune cellantigen-specific lymphocyteB cellT cell