Question

What are CD4+ T cells also known as?

a) T-helper cells.
b) T-cytotoxic cells.
c) T-regulatory cells.
d) T-memory cells.
e) T-suppressor cells.

Answer 1

CD4+ T cells are commonly known as T-helper cells. They are pivotal in managing and regulating the immune response by differentiating into subtypes based on the cytokines they encounter. The CD4+ marker also identifies regulatory T cells with different functions than T-helper cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

CD4+ T cells are also known as T-helper cells. These are one of the classes of T cells that play a crucial role in the immune system by helping orchestrate the immune response. Upon activation by antigens, CD4+ T cells proliferate and differentiate into various subtypes including TH1, TH2, TH17, and memory T cells. The differentiation of these cells is influenced by the cytokines they are exposed to during an immune response.

In addition to T-helper cells, the CD4+ marker is also found on regulatory T cells (Treg) or suppressor T cells, which have a function of damping the immune response to prevent autoimmune diseases and maintain immune system homeostasis. It is essential to differentiate T-helper cells from other types such as T-cytotoxic cells, which are CD8+ and are involved in directly killing infected cells, and T-regulatory cells, which are another type of CD4+ cell but have distinct functions focusing on immunosuppression.