Cell-mediated Immunity

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Cell-mediated immunity is a response to antigens by the immune system that utilizes cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, phagocytes and pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory cytokines (signaling molecules.)  They help the body  prepare to protect itself from pathogens. T-Cells secrete molecules that destroy the cell to which they have attached to.

There are a variety of T-lymphocytes (T-cells ) that provide different immune functions. In autoimmune disease it is believed that Cytotoxic T-Cells (Killer T-cells) ignore their instructions and this leads to an attack on body cells, such as red blood cells.  Suppression of these Killer T-Cells is a goal in immunosuppressive treatment.

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