CD4+ T cells

Question 1

what is the basic function of CD4+ cells

Answer 1

to regulate the innate and adaptive immune responses

Question 2

what different types of cell can CD4+ cells differentiate into

Answer 2

Th1 and 2 cells(helper T cells), Tfh cells(follicular helper) or regulatory T cells

Question 3

describe the relationship between CD4+ cells and IL-2(interleukin-2)

Answer 3

antigen activated CD4+ secretes IL-2(growth factor), Il-2 is then used by CD4+(and CD8+) cells to proliferate and differentiate

Question 4

describe the role of Th1 cells

Answer 4

move from secondary lymph node to infection site, become re-activated by tissue-resident macrophages(antigen specific), Th1 cells then secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines, enhances macrophage mediated killing of internal pathogen

Question 5

describe the role of Tfh cells

Answer 5

B cells present peptide antigens on surface using MHC 2, effector Tfh cell moves into B cell zone of lymph node and are re-stimulated by B cells(antigen specific), Tfh cells then stimulate B cells to clonally proliferate ad differentiate, into long-lived plasma cells, high affinity antigen-specific antibodies and long-lived memory B cells