immune response

American  

noun

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

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immune response British  

noun

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

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immune response Scientific  

/ ĭ-myo̅o̅n′ /

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

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Etymology

Origin of immune response

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

immune response

Research by Hajishengallis and another Penn professor, immunologist John Lambris, led to the development of an experimental drug applied into gum tissue, aimed at calming the immune response.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026

In particular, they’re examining how bacteria from diseased gums, and the immune response they trigger, may contribute to conditions including heart disease, diabetes, cognitive decline, arthritis, respiratory disease and chronic liver disease.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026

This is enough to trigger the immune system to recognise a threat and mount an immune response.

From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026

These microbial changes were mirrored by differences in the host's immune response.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 10, 2026

In a sense, the earth is mounting an immune response against the human species.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston