Just trying to understand, and please jump in guys:
I agree about the priming of the T-cell system. E.g. if you have had a coronavirus before, your immune system is ready/readier to respond.
If I have understood correctly, this memory or alarm function is handled by the T-helper cells.
The T-helper cells stimulate the response. This response might be one of three things:
* To stimulate B (’Bursa’) cells to release antibodies. These antibodies are proteins that attach to pathogens, clag them up, maybe also flag them for destruction(?)
B-cells are found in the bone marrow in adults, or in pre-natal liver cells. They get their name from the ‘Bursa of Fabricius’; an antibody-producing organ found only in certain kinds of birds.
* To stimulate/direct the activity of Macrophages - cells of many types that operate in different parts of the body, that variously clean up dead cells: dead neurons, other cellular detritus.
Macrophages also stimulate/direct the T-helper system, e.g. by breaking up ‘bad’ cells and presenting the contents to the T-helper cells.
* To stimulate/direct the activity of cytotoxic T cells; These are white cells with very specific targets. I guess they act as targetted assassins rather than as general purpose hoovers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkIfYwnaYqc