T helper cell

T helper cells are a kind of lymphocyte blood cell, produced in the thymus. They do not kill or eat bacteria. What they do is to help other immune cells target onto infecting bacteria. They activate T-killer cells (cytotoxic T cells) and B cells to kill infecting bacteria or cells that are infected by viruses.

Genetic variants in T helper genes are associated with autoimmune diseases.

T helpers get attacked by the HIV virus.

References

Category:blood cells