cell-mediated response

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cell-mediated response A type of immunological reaction carried out by cytotoxic T cells. A cell infected with foreign antigens, possibly through viral infection, presents the antigen on the surface of the cell bound to a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) protein. The T cell receptor recognizes both the antigen and the MHC protein and consequently may attack the infected cell or invading extracellular particles. Compare HUMORAL RESPONSE.