Effector cells

Effector cells are a type of immune cell that carries out the specific immune response against pathogens or foreign substances in the body. These cells are derived from activated lymphocytes (such as B cells or T cells) and are responsible for executing the immune response to eliminate the invader.

Depending on the nature of the immune challenge, effector cells can take various forms. For example, B cells can differentiate into plasma cells, which produce and release specific antibodies to neutralize pathogens. T cells can differentiate into cytotoxic T cells, which directly kill infected cells, or helper T cells, which coordinate and regulate other immune cells.

Effector cells are distinguished from naive or memory cells, which have not yet encountered the antigen or have previously encountered the antigen, respectively. Once the immune system has successfully neutralized the threat, most effector cells undergo apoptosis (programmed cell death), while a few may differentiate into memory cells to provide long-term immunity.

Overall, effector cells play a crucial role in the immune response by directly targeting and eliminating threats to maintain the body's health and defense against infections.