YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM: T-CELLS, KILLER, HELPER AND SUPPRESSOR CELLS
T-Cells in Action
When T-cell colonies in the lymph tissue are exposed to an antigen, some of the T-cells become sensitized. These sensitized cells are sent out to find the antigens. When the antigens are found, the sensitized T-cells surround them and hold on, swelling in size and trying to kill the invaders with poisons they release. Along with the poison, the T-cells send out other chemicals that cause nearby T-cells to become sensitized to the antigen and join the battle. In addition, the chemicals attract up to 1,000 macrophages and increase the phagocytic activity of the giant cell eaters. It was recently reported that certain T-cells shoot out proteins, called perforins, that punch holes in antigens. A T-cell may attach itself to several antigens at a time, swinging its “guns” at one enemy at a time, attacking each in turn.
Killer, Helper and Suppressor Cells
There are different kind of T-cells: the fighting cells I’ve just described, the memory cells which store away information about the antigen, plus the very important helper T-cells and suppressor T-cells.
Natural killer cells are powerful, but they need a little prodding. That’s where the helper T-cell, also called T4 cells, come in. Their job is to prod fighting T-cells, and B-cells, to battle. Of course, your body wants to make sure there’s a way to turn the fighters off when the battle is over. That’s where the suppressor (T8) cells come in.
The T8s tell the immune soldiers to lay down their weapons and calm down when the battle is over and won. Without T8 cells, the killer cells might go on fighting when the antigens have been destroyed, and turn against you, attacking your own body.
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