A role for antigen in the maintenance of immunological memory

Nat Rev Immunol. 2002 Jan;2(1):60-5. doi: 10.1038/nri706.

Abstract

The immune system has a memory that it exhibits in the enhanced and augmented responses the second time it meets an antigen. The memory is the result of a number of changes to the system brought about during the primary response. The most important of these changes is the formation of an expanded pool of antigen-specific memory cells. One of the enduring questions in immunology is how these memory cells are maintained for such long periods.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens*
  • Cell Survival
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Memory*
  • Lymphocytes / cytology
  • Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Models, Immunological
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • Antigens