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