Summary:
- The cell-mediated immune response involves mainly T cells.
- There are several different types of T cells involved in the response.
- T cells must be activated by an antigen before they can fight an infection or cancer.
- Once activated, a cytotoxic T cell divides rapidly and produces an “army” of cells identical to itself.
- These cells travel throughout the body “searching” for more cells to destroy.
- Most helper T cells die out once a pathogen has been cleared from the body, but a few remain.