Humoral antibody response

Mediated by antibody molecules that are secreted by plasma cells. Antibodies protect in three main ways. They can inhibit the toxic effects or infectivity of pathogens by binding to them (neutralization). By coating the pathogens, they can enable accessory cells that recognize the Fc portions of antibodies to ingest and kill the pathogen (opsonization). Antibodies can also trigger activation of the complement system.