Priming (immunology)

Priming (immunology) is a process in the immune system where the immune cells are prepared for a future encounter with antigens. This process is crucial for the immune system's ability to quickly and effectively respond to infections.

Overview

Priming in immunology involves the activation of the immune cells, particularly T cells and B cells, by exposure to antigens. This exposure prepares these cells for a future encounter with the same antigens, allowing them to respond more quickly and effectively. This is the basis for vaccination, where a harmless form of the antigen is introduced to the body to prime the immune system for a potential future infection.

Mechanism

The process of priming involves the interaction between an antigen-presenting cell (APC) and a T cell. The APC presents the antigen on its surface to the T cell, which recognizes the antigen and becomes activated. This activation process involves the upregulation of certain genes and the production of cytokines, which are signaling molecules that regulate the immune response.

Once activated, the T cell can then interact with a B cell, which also recognizes the antigen. This interaction leads to the activation of the B cell, which then begins to produce antibodies specific to the antigen. These antibodies can then bind to the antigen and neutralize it, preventing it from causing an infection.

Role in Vaccination

Priming plays a crucial role in vaccination. Vaccines contain harmless forms of antigens that are introduced to the body to prime the immune system. This allows the immune system to recognize and respond to the antigen more quickly and effectively if it encounters the same antigen in the future.

See Also

• Immune system
• Antigen
• Vaccination
• T cells
• B cells
• Cytokines
• Antibodies

References

Priming (immunology) Resources
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