humoral immunity /hyo̅o̅″mərəl/ [L, humor, liquid, immunis, freedom] , an immune response that is mediated by antibodies (immunoglobulins IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM) produced by plasma cells that can recognize bacteria or parasite antigens and subsequently coat these microorganisms. The microorganisms are either (1) neutralized, (2) recognized by the complement system and destroyed, or (3) recognized and phagocytosed by phagocytes and subsequently destroyed. Compare cell-mediated immunity.
