Final answer:
Cytokines are soluble proteins produced by T cells and macrophages when they encounter infected cells, acting as chemical messengers in immune responses.They are instrumental in cell-mediated immune responses, particularly in the activation and direction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (Tc) and macrophages that help destroy the infected cells and communicate with the adaptive immune system by displaying protein fragments of their targets on their surfaces.
Step-by-step explanation:
The soluble protein elaborated by T cells and macrophages upon encountering infected cells is known as a cytokine. These cytokines serve as chemical messengers that regulate cell differentiation, proliferation, and gene expression to effect immune responses.
They are instrumental in cell-mediated immune responses, particularly in the activation and direction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (Tc) and macrophages that help destroy the infected cells and communicate with the adaptive immune system by displaying protein fragments of their targets on their surfaces.Cytokines are soluble proteins produced by T cells and macrophages when they encounter infected cells, acting as chemical messengers in immune responses.