A helper T-cell is a type of immune cell that plays a crucial role in coordinating the immune response.
The Role of Helper T-cells
Helper T-cells don't directly kill infected cells or pathogens. Instead, they act as organizers, activating other immune cells to effectively fight off infections. According to the provided reference, when helper T-cells sense an infection, they activate other immune cells in the following ways:
-
Activating Cytotoxic T-cells: These cells are responsible for directly killing infected cells. Helper T-cells help mobilize them to the site of infection and enhance their activity.
-
Activating B-cells: B-cells are responsible for producing antibodies, which neutralize pathogens and mark them for destruction by other immune cells. Helper T-cells stimulate B-cells to produce the appropriate antibodies for the specific infection.
Summary
In essence, helper T-cells orchestrate the immune response by activating other immune cells like cytotoxic T-cells and B-cells, enabling the body to effectively combat infections.
