Question: what is the difference between t cells and white blood cells

title: T cell
text: T helper cells ( T cells ) assist other white blood cells in immunologic processes , including maturation of B cells into plasma cells and memory B cells , and activation of cytotoxic T cells and macrophages . These cells are also known as CD4 T cells because they express the CD4 glycoprotein on their surfaces . Helper T cells become activated when they are presented with peptide antigens by MHC class II molecules , which are expressed on the surface of antigen - presenting cells ( APCs ) . Once activated , they divide rapidly and secrete small proteins called cytokines that regulate or assist in the active immune response . These cells can differentiate into one of several subtypes , including T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 17 , T 9 , or T , which secrete different cytokines to facilitate different types of immune responses . Signalling from the APC directs T cells into particular subtypes .