Helper
Helper is a term often used in the medical field to refer to a type of T cell that plays an important role in the immune system. These cells are also known as CD4+ T cells because they express the CD4 glycoprotein on their surfaces.
Function[edit | edit source]
Helper T cells play a crucial role in the immune response by helping the body's immune system recognize and respond to foreign substances. They do this by recognizing antigens presented on the surface of antigen presenting cells (APCs). Once they recognize an antigen, they become activated and start to divide and produce cytokines that stimulate other immune cells to respond to the antigen.
Types of Helper T cells[edit | edit source]
There are several types of helper T cells, each with a different function:
- Th1 cells: These cells help stimulate the immune response against intracellular pathogens, such as viruses and certain bacteria. They do this by producing cytokines that activate macrophages and cytotoxic T cells.
- Th2 cells: These cells help stimulate the immune response against extracellular pathogens, such as parasites. They do this by producing cytokines that stimulate B cells to produce antibodies.
- Th17 cells: These cells help stimulate the immune response against extracellular bacteria and fungi. They do this by producing cytokines that stimulate the production of neutrophils.
- Tfh cells: These cells help B cells produce high-affinity antibodies and develop into memory B cells and plasma cells.
- Treg cells: These cells help regulate the immune response and prevent autoimmune diseases by suppressing the activity of other immune cells.
Role in Disease[edit | edit source]
Abnormalities in helper T cells can lead to various diseases. For example, a decrease in the number of CD4+ T cells is a hallmark of HIV/AIDS. On the other hand, an overactive helper T cell response can lead to autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.
See Also[edit | edit source]
- T cell
- Immune system
- Antigen
- Cytokine
- Macrophage
- B cell
- Neutrophil
- Plasma cell
- Memory B cell
- HIV/AIDS
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Multiple sclerosis
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