Jun

11

What Are T Helper Cells?

Filed Under Allergy Blog 

cellsT helper cells play a vital role in the function of the bodies immune system and its ability to defend itself against any threats. The cells act very much like the control center for the bodies immune system in that T helper cells recognize any threat and decide if there should be a reaction and how much it should be.

If you think of your body as a war field, T helper cells are the 4 star generals and when the body is attacked they organize the forces, and decide how much defense is needed to fend off the attacks. In doing so it decides what cells should get involved, When the threat has been over come they let other cells know that they can stop as they declare victory

T helper cells are unique in this way in that they do not kill infections or pathogens but rather organize other cells to react against them. Because T helper cells are the command and control center for the immune system many deadly viruses like HIV  and other immune diseases often strike at them causing a collapse of the entire immune system. With allergies these T helper cells may be responsible for over estimating the threat and send to great of a response thus causing painful allergy symptoms. The T helper cells direct B cells to differentiate into IgE-producing plasma cells. The end result is a large amount of histamine and other allergic mediators being produced that may not be needed.

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