Which immune cells are primarily responsible for humoral immunity?

Humoral immunity is primarily mediated by B cells, which are a type of lymphocyte vital to the adaptive immune response. When B cells are activated by the presence of specific antigens, usually with the help of T helper cells, they differentiate into plasma cells that secrete antibodies. These antibodies are proteins that bind to antigens, neutralizing pathogens or marking them for destruction by other immune cells.

B cells play a crucial role in recognizing free-floating pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses in body fluids (hence "humoral"), and they are key to establishing long-term immunity through memory B cells. The ability of B cells to produce antibodies enables them to effectively neutralize pathogens and prevent infections, underscoring their essential function within the immune system.

When considering the other immune cells, T cells primarily regulate and assist other immune cells and are involved in cellular immunity rather than humoral immunity. Natural killer cells function in the innate immune system and are responsible for combating viral infections and certain tumors but do not produce antibodies. Macrophages are part of the innate immune system and play a role in engulfing pathogens and presenting antigens, but they do not carry out the functions of humoral immunity directly.

Therefore, the role of B cells in antibody production