Which cells are primarily responsible for the body's adaptive immune response?

The cells primarily responsible for the body's adaptive immune response are T cells. T cells play a crucial role in recognizing specific antigens presented by infected or cancerous cells and orchestrating the immune response. They can be further divided into different subsets, such as helper T cells and cytotoxic T cells.

Helper T cells (CD4+ T cells) assist other immune cells, including B cells and cytotoxic T cells, by releasing cytokines that enhance the immune response. Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+ T cells) directly attack and destroy infected or abnormal cells. The specificity and memory characteristics of T cells are vital components of the adaptive immune system, allowing the body to respond more effectively upon subsequent exposures to the same pathogens.

While B cells also play a fundamental role in the adaptive immune response by producing antibodies against specific antigens, it is the T cells that are central to the regulation and execution of much of the adaptive immune response.