Q. How does the cellular immune response take place?
The lymphocytes that participate in the cellular immune response are the T lymphocytes and T lymphocytes differentiate into three major types: helper T lymphocytes (helper cell), cytotoxic T lymphocytes (cytotoxic T cell) and suppressor T lymphocytes. The cytotoxic cells are the effectors of the system that is they directly attack other cells recognized as foreign (for example, cells infected by virus, fungi cells, neoplastic cells, graft cells, etc.). The suppressor T lymphocytes and the helper cells act as regulators of the system releasing substances that respectively stimulate and inhibit the immune action of T and B lymphocytes. After the primary immune response memory T lymphocytes also remain in the circulation to provide more effective reaction and as well faster in case of future infections.