What are the differences between T helper and T cytotoxic cells?

Question

Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation 
T helper cells
T cytotoxic cells

Definition

Are a type of immune cell that plays a supportive role in the immune system by recognizing foreign antigens and secreting cytokines that activate T and B cells

Are a type of immune cell that is capable of directly killing certain cells including tumor cells and virus infected cells directly by destroying the cell membranes

Types of T cell receptor (TCR) on cell membrane

CD4 receptors

CD8 receptors

Antigen presentation

Dendritic cells, macrophages, and neutrophils

Virus-infected cells and tumor cells

Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules

CD4 receptors present on the cell membrane can recognize antigens presented with MHC class II molecules

CD8 receptors present on the cell membrane can recognize antigens presented with MHC class I molecules

Has the ability to kill pathogen directly

No

Yes

Role

Secretion of cytokines that help to regulate other cells in the immune system and present antigens to the B cells

Directly destroy virus-infected cells and tumor cells

Basis of differentiation	T helper cells	T cytotoxic cells
Definition	Are a type of immune cell that plays a supportive role in the immune system by recognizing foreign antigens and secreting cytokines that activate T and B cells	Are a type of immune cell that is capable of directly killing certain cells including tumor cells and virus infected cells directly by destroying the cell membranes
Types of T cell receptor (TCR) on cell membrane	CD4 receptors	CD8 receptors
Antigen presentation	Dendritic cells, macrophages, and neutrophils	Virus-infected cells and tumor cells
Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules	CD4 receptors present on the cell membrane can recognize antigens presented with MHC class II molecules	CD8 receptors present on the cell membrane can recognize antigens presented with MHC class I molecules
Has the ability to kill pathogen directly	No	Yes
Role	Secretion of cytokines that help to regulate other cells in the immune system and present antigens to the B cells	Directly destroy virus-infected cells and tumor cells

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