What is the function of regulatory T cells?

Prepare for the AAB Medical Technologist (MT) Generalist Exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations to boost your understanding. Get exam-ready now!

Regulatory T cells, often referred to as Tregs, play a crucial role in maintaining immune homeostasis and preventing autoimmune diseases. Their primary function is to suppress excessive immune responses, ensuring that the immune system remains balanced. This suppression is vital for preventing the body from attacking its own tissues and for controlling the inflammatory response to infections and other stimuli.

Unlike helper T cells, which enhance immune responses, regulatory T cells work to downregulate or inhibit the actions of other immune cells, thus preventing overactivity that could lead to tissue damage. They achieve this suppression through various mechanisms, including the secretion of inhibitory cytokines, direct cell-contact inhibition, and modulation of dendritic cell functions.

While Tregs do produce some cytokines as part of their function, such as IL-10 and TGF-β, their primary role is not centered around production but rather on modulation of the immune response. They do not engage in phagocytosis, as that function is typically carried out by other immune cells such as macrophages and neutrophils, which are responsible for engulfing and digesting pathogens and debris. Therefore, the correct answer emphasizes the essential role of regulatory T cells in keeping immune responses in check to avoid harmful overreactions.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy