Which immune cells are primarily responsible for recognizing antigens?

T cells are primarily responsible for recognizing antigens as part of the adaptive immune response. They possess specialized receptors on their surface known as T cell receptors (TCRs), which specifically bind to antigen fragments presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules on the surface of other cells. This recognition allows T cells to differentiate between self and non-self and to respond to pathogens or infected cells effectively.

Once a T cell recognizes an antigen, it can become activated and initiate a tailored immune response, which may include the proliferation of T cells, the release of cytokines, and the activation of other immune cells. This specificity is a hallmark of the adaptive immune system, contrasting with other cells such as macrophages and neutrophils, which play more general roles in innate immunity and do not have the same level of antigen specificity.