Self-Centered Function of Adaptive Immunity in Regulation of Immune Responses and in Tolerance

Figure 2

The engagement sequence pyramid of cellular immune effectors. Physiologic characteristics of immune cells, their timing of recruitment, number, and distribution are consistent with their function. Innate effectors are the first/acute responders. Conventional T/B cells (MHC-restricted adaptive effectors) are secluded within the systemic immune compartment (SC) and activated only when innate reactions reach a particular threshold, i.e., in later stages of an immune response.