Do T lymphocytes make plasma cell clones?

1 Answer
Jul 4, 2018

No. B lymphocyte cells are responsible for that.

Explanation:

Firstly, it's important to know that there are two types of T-cells:

1- helper T cells
2- killer T cells (cytotoxic T cells)

  • T helper cells have receptors that detect the presence of antigens that maybe presented on the surface of macrophages or infected body cells.

As a result, the start dividing and releasing cytokines (hormone-like chemicals) which activates a specific clone of B-cells that continuously divides by mitosis to form plasma cells that release antibodies into the blood.

  • Cytokines released by T helper cells will also activate a specific clone of T killer cells to search the body for any infected cells and eventually kill them by for example, releasing hydrogen peroxide.