Which immune response is primarily activated in response to viruses?

The cell-mediated immune response is primarily activated in response to viral infections. This component of the adaptive immune system relies heavily on T lymphocytes, particularly cytotoxic T cells, which recognize and destroy virus-infected cells. When a virus infects a cell, it presents viral peptides on its surface using Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I molecules. Cytotoxic T cells can identify these infected cells and trigger their apoptosis, thereby preventing the virus from replicating and spreading.

In addition, helper T cells (CD4+ T cells) play a crucial role by facilitating the activation of other immune cells, including B cells, which are responsible for producing antibodies in the humoral immune response. However, in the case of direct viral infections, the cell-mediated response is vital for eliminating infected cells and controlling the spread of the virus.

While the humoral immune response is important for producing antibodies to neutralize free viruses, it does not eliminate infected cells, which is a core issue during a viral infection. The innate immune response provides the first line of defense against pathogens, including viruses, but it does not specifically target virus-infected cells with the precision of the cell-mediated response. Chronic immune responses refer to ongoing immune activation, typically associated with long