Which type of cells are involved in the adaptive immune response?

The adaptive immune response is specifically characterized by the involvement of T cells and B cells, which are both types of lymphocytes. T cells, particularly, play crucial roles in recognizing specific antigens presented by other cells, thus providing tailored immune responses. They are fundamental in developing immunity to specific pathogens through mechanisms such as cytotoxicity, helping other immune cells, or regulating the immune response.

While neutrophils and natural killer cells are important components of the immune system, they are primarily part of the innate immune response rather than the adaptive immune response. Neutrophils are one of the first responders to infection and primarily engage in phagocytosis, while natural killer cells are involved in targeting and destroying infected or malignant cells without the need for prior sensitization to specific antigens.

Thus, recognizing T cells as the key players in the adaptive immune response highlights their specificity and memory capabilities, which distinguish adaptive immunity from the more general and rapid responses of innate immunity.