Cooperation of immunocompetent cells in the T immune response

A cell-mediated immune response is any response in which antibodies play a minor role. The main task is to eliminate the cells infected with the virus. The effector cells that are able to lyse these target cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes - Tc.

Additional information

 * Tc develops from precursors upon contact with antigen, in such a way that the antigen is absorbed by the APC (antigen-presenting cells) upon entry into the organism and, after processing, antigen fragments are exposed on the surface of the APC, some together with class I molecules, others with molecules Class II MHC. Complexes of antigen and class I molecules are recognized by Tc receptors with the contribution of the CD8 molecule,
 * antingens with class II molecules are recognized by TH lymphocytes using the CD4 molecule,
 * antigen binding to the TCR is an important signal for T cell activation,
 * additional signals are provided by adhesive molecules, similar to B-lymphocytes,
 * TH and Tc begin to divide, which is also contributed by cytokines: IL-1 produced by APC cells, IL-2 produced by TH lymphocytes,
 * mature Tc lymphocytes recognize infected cells through their receptor, which express the viral antigen and the class I molecule on their surface,
 * Tc binds to the target cell and, through hydrolytic enzymes and proteins (perforin) ocontained in the vesicles, kills the cell,
 * the cytotoxic lymphocyte survives this dramatic event and can kill other target cells.

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 * Cooperation of immunocompetent cells in the B immune response