memory cell

memory cell

A cell in the immune system that, when exposed to an invading pathogen, replicates itself and remains in the lymph nodes searching for the same antigen, resulting in a more efficient and rapid response to any subsequent attack.

Note: The creation of memory cells is one of the main goals of vaccination.

Main Entry: memory cell
Function: noun
: a long-lived lymphocyte that carries the antibody or receptor for a specific antigen after a first exposure to the antigen andthat remains in a less than mature state until stimulated by a second exposure to the antigen at which time it mounts a more effective immune response than a cell which has not been exposed previously