T-helpers, what is it? Find out what the T helper means is increased or lowered

The human body includes manycomponents that are in constant relationship with each other. The main mechanisms include the respiratory, digestive, cardiovascular, urogenital, endocrine and nervous systems. In order to protect each of these components, there are special body defenses. The mechanism that protects us from the harmful effects of the environment is immunity. He, like other systems of the body, has connections with the central nervous system and the endocrine apparatus.

The role of immunity in the body

The main function of immunity is to protect againstforeign substances that penetrate from the environment or are formed endogenously during pathological processes. It performs its action due to special blood cells - lymphocytes. Lymphocytes belong to a variety of white blood cells and are constantly present in the human body. Their increase suggests that the system fights against the foreign agent, and the decrease - the lack of protective forces - immunodeficiency. Another function is the fight against neoplasms, which is carried out through tumor necrosis factor. The immune system includes a set of organs that serve as a barrier to harmful factors. These include:

• skin integument;
• thymus;
• spleen;
• The lymph nodes;
• red bone marrow;
• blood.

There are 2 types of mechanisms that are inextricablyrelated. Cellular immunity combats harmful particles through T-lymphocytes. These structures, in turn, are subdivided into T-helpers, T-suppressors, T-killers.

The work of cellular immunity

Cellular immunity exercises itsactivity at the level of the smallest structures of the body. This level of protection includes several different lymphocytes, each of which performs its own specific function. All of them come from white blood cells and occupy the bulk of them. T-lymphocytes got their name due to their place of origin - thymus. The thymus gland begins to produce these immune structures even in the period of human embryonic development, ends their differentiation in childhood. Gradually, this body ceases to perform its functions, and by the age of 15-18 consists only of adipose tissue. Thymus produces only the elements of cellular immunity - T-lymphocytes: helper cells, killers and suppressors.

When ingested by an alien agent, the bodyactivates its defense systems, that is, immunity. First of all, macrophages begin to fight the harmful factor, their function is to absorb the antigen. If they can not cope with their task, then connect the next level of protection - cellular immunity. The first to recognize the antigen T-killers - the killer of outside agents. The activity of the T-helpers is to help the immune system. They control the division and differentiation of all cells in the body. Another of their functions is the formation of a relationship between two types of immunity, that is, the help of B-lymphocytes to secrete antibodies, activation of other structures (monocytes, T-killers, mast cells). T-suppressors are needed to reduce the excessive activity of the helpers, if necessary.

T-helper types

Depending on the function performed, T-helpersdivided into 2 types: the first and second. The first carry out the production of tumor necrosis factor (anti-neoplasm), gamma-interferon (anti-viral agents), interleukin-2 (participation in inflammatory reactions). All these functions are aimed at the destruction of antigens that are inside the cell.

The second type of T-helper is needed to communicate withhumoral immunity. These T-lymphocytes produce interleukins 4, 5, 10, and 13, providing this relationship. In addition, T-helper type 2 is responsible for the production of immunoglobulin E, which is directly related to the allergic reactions of the body.

Increase and decrease of T-helper cells in the body

There are special norms of all lymphocytes intheir study is called an immunogram. Any deviation, regardless of the increase or decrease in the cells, is considered abnormal, that is, any pathological condition develops. If T-helpers are lowered, then the body's defense system is not able to fully carry out its action. This condition is immunodeficient and occurs during pregnancy and lactation, after illness, with chronic infections. HIV infection is considered to be the ultimate manifestation - a complete disruption of cellular immunity. If T-helpers are elevated, then an over-reaction to antigens is observed in the body, that is, the fight against them goes from a normal process to a pathological reaction. This condition is observed with allergies.

The relationship of cellular and humoral immunity

As you know, the immune system carries out itsprotective properties on two levels. One of them acts exclusively on cellular structures, that is, when viruses enter or abnormal gene rearrangements, T-lymphocytes are activated. The second level - humoral regulation, which is carried out through the effects on the entire body with the help of immunoglobulins. These protection systems in some cases can work separately from each other, but most often they interact with each other. Communication of cellular and humoral immunity is carried out by T-helpers, that is, "helpers". This population of T-lymphocytes produces specific interleukins, these include: IL-4, 5, 10, 13. Without these structures, the development and functioning of humoral protection is impossible.

The value of T-helper cells in the immune system

Thanks to the release of interleukins, the immunethe system develops and protects us from harmful influences. The tumor necrosis factor prevents oncological processes, which is one of the most important functions of the body. All this is done by T-helpers. Despite the fact that they act indirectly (through other cells), their importance in the immune system is very important, as they help in organizing the protective properties of the organism.