Adaptive Immunity
The branch of the immune system that develops targeted responses to specific pathogens through T cells and B cells. Adaptive immunity provides immunological memory. Cyclosporine and glatiramer acetate modulate adaptive immune responses for autoimmune disease treatment.
Technical Context
Adaptive immunity features: specificity (each lymphocyte recognises a unique antigen through recombined receptors — TCR for T cells, BCR/antibody for B cells), diversity (V(D)J recombination generates approximately 10^11 unique receptor specificities), memory (expanded antigen-specific clones persist as memory cells, providing faster and stronger responses upon re-exposure), and self/non-self discrimination (central tolerance — eliminating self-reactive lymphocytes during development; peripheral tolerance — regulatory T cells and anergy). T cell subsets: CD4+ helper T cells (Th1 — intracellular pathogens, Th2 — extracellular parasites/allergies, Th17 — extracellular bacteria/fungi, Treg — immune suppression, Tfh — helping B cells) and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells (killing infected/tumour cells). Cyclosporine suppresses adaptive immunity by inhibiting calcineurin → blocking NFAT → preventing IL-2 production → inhibiting T cell activation and proliferation. Glatiramer acetate modulates adaptive immune balance rather than broadly suppressing it.