Cell-mediated immune response

N
u Diagram Description
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1. Cell-mediated immune response specific defence towards pathogen such as cancerous

cell and infected cells
2. The cell-mediated immune response involves cytotoxic T-cells, or killer-T cells.
3. Killer-T cells also produce T memory cells which “remember” a specific protein or
antigen.
4. Macrophage engulf and digest pathogen. Antigen
is broken into fragments.

5. Antigen fragments combine with class II MHC

protein of the macrophage

6. Class II MHC-antigen complex formed on the

surface of the macrophage, displaying the antigen
fragments. Macrophage is Antigen Presenting
Cell (APC)
7. Antigen Presenting Cell is recognised by a Helper
T cell

8. Helper T cell binds to the APC at the Class II

MHC-antigen complex with its receptor

9. Upon binding, the APC release Interleukin 1 to

activate the Helper T cell

10. Interleukin 2 secreted by the activated Helper T

cell stimulate the T cell to divide and form clones.
Some become Cytotoxic T cells
11. Infected cell digest the antigen and display the
antigen fragments on its surface in the form of
Class I MHC-antigen complex

12. The activated Cytotoxic T binds to the infected

cell with its receptor at the Class I MHC- antigen
complex

13. Cytotoxic T cell release perforin and granules

containing protein.

14. Perforin molecules puncture the infected cell,

allowing water and ions to rush inside, causing
swelling and lysis of the infected cell (apoptosis)