Minnessceller

Minnessceller is a term of Swedish origin that translates to "memory cells." In the context of biological and immunological research, minnessceller refers to lymphocytes that have been primed by exposure to a specific antigen. These cells are crucial for adaptive immunity, providing a faster and stronger response upon subsequent encounters with the same pathogen or antigen.

There are two primary types of memory lymphocytes: memory B cells and memory T cells. Memory B cells are responsible for producing antibodies more efficiently and in larger quantities during a secondary immune response. Memory T cells, which include helper T cells and cytotoxic T cells, can rapidly activate other immune cells or directly eliminate infected cells. The formation of memory cells is a hallmark of immunological memory, enabling the body to remember past infections and mount effective defenses. This process is fundamental to the success of vaccinations, which aim to induce the formation of these long-lived memory cells without causing disease. The study of minnessceller helps researchers understand how immunity is established and maintained, and it informs the development of new therapeutic strategies.