immune response

noun

1. any of the body's immunologic reactions to an antigen.

immune response

noun

1. the reaction of an organism's body to foreign materials (antigens), including the production of antibodies

immune response

1. A protective response of the body's immune system to an antigen, especially a microorganism or virus that causes disease. The immune response involves the action of lymphocytes that deactivate antigens either by stimulating the production of antibodies (humoral immune response) or by a direct attack on foreign cells (cell-mediated immune response.) An inability to produce a normal immune response results in immunodeficiency diseases such as AIDS.

2. See also cell-mediated immune response humoral immune response

Word History and Origins

Origin of immune response¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

The vaccine produces a small, controlled amount of spike protein inside a few cells – just enough to induce an immune response without causing damage.

From Salon

While some vaccines use an inactivated virus to trigger an immune response, mRNA vaccines work by teaching cells how to make proteins that can trigger an immune response.

From BBC

Measles is distinctive in that it essentially goes into a person’s system and wipes out the T-cells — a vital part of the immune response — gained during previous infections of other kinds.

From Salon

This system works to maintain homeostasis by balancing the body’s temperature, pain and immune response.

From Salon

Vaccines work by stimulating the body's natural immune response, so that it prevents infection using the body's own resources.

From Salon