cell-mediated immunity

[ sel-mee-dee-ey-tid ]

noun

, Immunology.

1. immunity independent of antibody but dependent on the recognition of antigen by T cells and their subsequent destruction of cells bearing the antigen or on the secretion by T cells of lymphokines that enhance the ability of phagocytes to eliminate the antigen.

cell-mediated immunity

1. Immunity resulting from a cell-mediated immune response.
2. Also called cellular immunity
3. Compare humoral immunity

Word History and Origins

Origin of cell-mediated immunity¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

"The T-cell response, or cell-mediated immunity that we develop to vaccines is preserved across all these crazy variants," Gandhi said.

From Salon

Whether it’s cell-mediated immunity, whether it’s low neutralizing antibody titers, we don’t know.

From Science Magazine

Cell-mediated immunity is an extremely complex process, and the various elements do not synchronize as well in older people, said Wilbur Chen, a University of Maryland infectious disease physician.

From Washington Post

Therefore, when delivered in vivo, there is a risk that such nucleases will generate or encounter a preexisting cell-mediated immunity, especially if they are expressed over the long term.

From Nature

They develop antibodies against the virus and they also develop cell-mediated immunity — the lymphocytes important to form viral control of pathogens.

From Nature