Clone

Definition

In the context of the adaptive immune response, a clone is a group of T lymphocytes that originate from a single cell and share a specific receptor for an antigen. These cells are part of the body's strategy to remember and quickly respond to pathogens it has previously encountered.

Related terms

Antigen: A molecule or molecular structure, typically on the surface of a pathogen or foreign body, that is recognized by the immune system, specifically by antibodies, B cells, or T cells.

T lymphocytes (T cells): A type of white blood cell that plays a central role in cell-mediated immunity, maturing in the thymus and including both effector cells for actively responding to infected cells and memory cells that provide long-term immunity.

Adaptive immune response: The body's ability to recognize and defend itself against specific invading pathogens through mechanisms that involve the activation and proliferation of lymphocytes, including both B cells and T cells