What type of immunity is enhanced through the action of T helper cells and cytotoxic 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!

Cell-mediated immunity is a crucial aspect of the immune system that involves the activation and coordination of T cells, particularly T helper cells and cytotoxic T cells. T helper cells play a pivotal role in stimulating other immune responses, including enhancing the activity of cytotoxic T cells, which directly kill infected or cancerous cells. This interaction is vital for robust immune responses, especially against intracellular pathogens, such as viruses.

In this context, T helper cells assist in the recognition of foreign antigens presented by antigen-presenting cells and subsequently help activate cytotoxic T cells. These cytotoxic T cells then seek out and destroy the cells that harbor these antigens, effectively controlling and eliminating the infection. Thus, the enhancement of cell-mediated immunity directly correlates with the action of these types of T cells, which is why this type of immunity is recognized as being primarily influenced by them.

While humoral immunity involves the production of antibodies by B cells and plays a significant role in immune defense, it is not specifically enhanced by T helper or cytotoxic T cells, making it less relevant in this context. Passive immunity refers to the transfer of antibodies from one individual to another, such as from mother to child, and does not involve active immune cells like T cells. Adaptive immunity

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