StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

T Helper Cells and the Adaptive Immune System - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The author of "T Helper Cells and the Adaptive Immune System" paper focuses on T helper cells which are a sub-group of lymphocytes, which is a type of white blood cell that plays an important role in the immune system majorly in the adaptive immune system.  …
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER93.1% of users find it useful
T Helper Cells and the Adaptive Immune System
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "T Helper Cells and the Adaptive Immune System"

Other functions of T-helper cells in the body include facilitating the B cell antibody class switching, maximization of bactericidal activity of phagocytes, for example, the macrophages as well as playing an important function in the growth and activation of cytotoxic T cells.

As far as the immunity of the human body is concerned, T-helper cells serve the most important function in adaptive immunity. They play a vital role in nearly all adaptive immune reactions. Apart from helping B cells secrete antibodies and assisting macrophages to destroy microbes that have been ingested, these cells also help in the activation of cytotoxic T Cells to help them kill infected target cells (Rang, H. P. 2003). These cells have a wide range of functions in the body, but they derive their name from the main role they play in the immune system.

They serve an auxiliary function in the immune system by helping other effector cells to perform their functions effectively. Among the cells, they help include cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and B cells. The main help they provide to other cells in the immune system includes secreting cytokines which act as stimulators to activate the other cells. There are four main types of T-helper cells namely Th1, Th2, Tfh, and Th17. Each of them performs a specific role in the immune system (Hu, 2007). The Th1 for instance plays essential functions in both antibody-mediated immunity and cell-mediated immunity.

These cells are in the regulation of intracellular pathogens like viruses and certain types of bacteria such as Listeria and Mycobacterium tuberculosis which cause TB (Hu, 2007). Th1 cells provide cytokine-mediated assistance to cytotoxic t Lymphocytes, which are the most powerful cells against intracellular pathogens. Th2 T- helper cells are important in the production of IgE antibodies as well as the production of other subclasses of lgG. They also offer their help to B Cells. The other type of T-helper cell, Tfh also provides help to B cells, assisting them to develop antibodies capable of secreting plasma cells in the nests of lymphoid cells also known as follicles located in the lymph nodes.

These are the majority type of T-helper cells in the body and are commonly known as follicular helper T (Tfh) cells (Hirota et al, 2011). The Th17 T-helper cells on the other hand help in the protection of other body surfaces such as the skin and the lining of intestines from extracellular bacteria. To successfully perform their function, T-helper cells have to be activated to become effector cells. One of the most notable roles these cells play in adaptive immunity is the role it plays in HIV infections.

HIV affects CD4+ cells in the human body. The virus kills all the CD4+ cells reducing their numbers and effectiveness. As a result, the patient’s immunity is inhibited and towards the end of the HIV infection, the patient suffers from Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The absence of CD4+ cells in the body also leads to other rare disorders that produce similar symptoms to AIDS but they are not as fatal as AIDS. During the nonsymptomatic stage of HIV, the virus often has a high attraction toward macrophages and a low one toward the T-Cells (Harrington et al, 2005).

This results in a low skill rate for the CD4+ T cells in the immune system. This situation is initially resolved through the production of other T helper cells from the thymus which originates from the bone marrow. When the virus becomes more lymphotropic and gets attracted to the T cells, it starts to infect the CD$+ T cells more efficiently as a result of a change in the co-receptors that it binds to in the course of the infection. This leads to the immune system being overwhelmed and the body becomes weaker and less resistant to diseases and other infections. 

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Immunology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words”, n.d.)
Immunology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1482931-immunology
(Immunology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words)
Immunology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words. https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1482931-immunology.
“Immunology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1482931-immunology.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF T Helper Cells and the Adaptive Immune System

Innate and Adaptive Immunity

t helper cells are necessary for the activation of B-cells and cytotoxic T-cell immune responses.... Question 2 A secondary infection occurs when a pathogen attacks an organism whose immune system is weak due to an earlier infection.... Question 3 Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks a protein, CD4, on helper T cells of the immune system and associated with it.... These cells are the immune system's main infection-fighting cells....
5 Pages (1250 words) Assignment

Development of the Specific Immune Responses

the adaptive immune system is slower and responds only to specific antigens with cells called lymphocytes.... Once the adaptive immune system responds to a specific antigen, the body will remember it and will produce antibodies to combat the antigen more effectively every time it comes back.... One of the important factors that keep us alive is our immune system and its ability to adapt to the environment and the pathogens it contains.... there are two ways wherein the body can protect itself from infection: Innate or nonspecific immune system, and Adaptive or specific immune system....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Diseases Progression: Effect of HIV Virus on the Immune System

Disease progression: Effect of HIV on the immune system Thesis Statement The aim of this paper is to have a detailed look at several aspects of HIV, its nature, origin, effect on immune system, mode of spread and means of prevention.... It has two strains, HIV-1 and HIV-2, and they both show tropism for macrophages and CD4+ T cells and destroy them which culminate in complete paralysis of the body's immune system.... In case of HIV, this type of cell belongs to the immune system but more on that later....
8 Pages (2000 words) Term Paper

The Innate and the Acquired Immune Responses

The complement system can recognize foreign organisms, as well as, phagocytic white blood cells like the innate immune system macrophages and neutrophils, and destroy them immediately (Minnicozzi 115) In contrast, the acquired immune response, also referred to as the adaptive immune system, develops in days.... n the case that these barriers are overwhelmed, or dodged, other immune system components get into action.... The lymphocytes present in the body in their billions, possess a vast range of antigen receptors collectively, which make it possible for the immune system to identify, and take action to virtually any antigen an individual may be exposed to....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

T Cell - B Cell Collaboration in the Immune Response to Infection

The chief function of the immune system is to protect the body from infections by invading pathogenic microorganisms like viruses, bacteria and fungi (Levinson, 2004).... (Hariharan, 2006) Lymphocytes, a class of White Blood Cells, are a vital part of the acquired immune system, being responsible for the whole reaction.... It has a huge range of cells and chemical substances at hand to identify and destroy an infinite number of foreign intruders (Dowshen, 2007)....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

Antigens, Antibodies, and the Immune Response

The body has its own inherent immune or defense system.... In times of possible exposure to bacteria, viruses, or other infectious organisms, the body's defense system is activated.... Ideally, the body has its inherent defense system which can help reduce the impact of the disease.... This essay "Antigens, Antibodies, and the immune Response" discuss including what can happen when a patient has an immune reaction to a blood transfusion....
11 Pages (2750 words) Essay

Impact of HIV on Immune Response

Conclusively, the paper has discussed some of the significant aspects of the process of HIV infection in the immune system, and the impact of HIV on immune responses.... In specific, HIV has been the major focus of medical experts, especially immunologists in order to understand the relation of deficit of immune system with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), and findings have indicated that factors related to HIV have resulted in an adverse impact on the immune system and its responses in the human body....
6 Pages (1500 words) Article

The Difference between Innate and Adaptive Immune Response

Consequently, the innate immune response system has three main functions: host protection in the initial infection stages through nonspecific recognition of a pathogen using conserved biological patterns (Ygberg and Nilsson 121); recruitment of the adaptive immune reaction; and definition of the nature of adaptive response required (Goldstein 242).... the adaptive immune response is recruited into action, to eliminate pathogens that evade or overcome innate immune defence mechanisms....
5 Pages (1250 words) Coursework
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us