Synonyms

• Activation, AIDS, allergic, allergen, allergy, anergy, antibody, antigen, antigen-presenting cells, antigenic molecules, APC, auto-reactive T-cells, B-cells, bacteria, bone marrow, chemical mediators, chemical messengers, cell-mediated, central memory T-cells, CD4, CD8, cell-mediated immunity, cytotoxic, cytokines, dendritic cells, effector memory T-cells, FoxP3 cells, gamma/delta T-cells, glycolipid, glycoprotein, helper T-cells, hematopoietic progenitors, HIV, human immunodeficiency virus, humoral system, immune, immune defense system, immune response, immune system, inflammation, lymphocytes, lymphokines, macrophages, major histocompatibility complex, memory T-cells, MHC, monocytes, monokines, natural killer cells, NK cells, phagocytes, phagocytosis, proliferation, protein, regulatory T-cells, self-antigens, T-cell activation, T-cell mediated immunity, thymocytes, thymus, T-reg cells, viruses, white blood cells.

Background

• T-cells, also called thymus cells or thymocytes, are a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. They help fight against disease and infection.
• T-cells cells play a vital role in cell-mediated immunity. Once activated, T-cells secrete chemical messengers called cytokines, which stimulate immune system cells to engulf foreign substances (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and allergens) that enter the body.
• T-cells are continually produced in the bone marrow. The immature T-cells then migrate through the bloodstream and mature in the thymus gland, which is located in the upper chest.
• These cells can be distinguished from other types of lymphocytes (B-cells) by the receptor on the outside of their cells called the T-cell receptor (TCR). This receptor allows T-cells to identify specific antigens (foreign substances) that enter the body.
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Development

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Activation

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Types of T-Cells

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Author Information

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Bibliography

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