Helper T cells (TH cells) are a type of white blood cells that plays a crucial role in adaptive immune response. Their main functions involve:
• Stimulating B cell division and antibody production: TH cells help B cells proliferate and differentiate into plasma cells, which produce antibodies.
• Activating Cytotoxic T cells: TH cells stimulate the activation and expansion of cytotoxic T cells (Tc) cells using cytokines. Cytotoxic T cells are the cells responsible for direct killing of infected cells or tumor cells.
• Stimulating macrophage activity: TH cells enhance the phagocytic and microbicidal activity of macrophages through cytokines.
TH cells themselves are not cytotoxic. Cytotoxicity is a primary function of cytotoxic T cells, not helper T cells. Cytotoxic T cells have CD8+ receptors. TH cells has CD4+ receptors.