Page 91 - The Miracle of the Immune System

FORCES MULTIPLY
Once activated, helper T cells begin
to multiply. They then warn the killer
T cells and B cells, which are few in
number and sensitive to the enemy
virus, to multiply. When the number
of B cells increases, the helper T
cells send them a type of signal to
initiate the manufacturing of antibod-
ies.

DEFEATING THE INFECTION
At this point, some viruses have
successfully penetrated the cells.
The only place where viruses can
multiply is in the body cells. With
the chemical materials they secrete,
killer T cells cause the death of
these cells by drilling through their
membranes, and removing the ele-
ments inside. Thus they prevent the
virus in the cell from reproducing.
By holding directly on to the sur-
face of the virus, antibodies inacti-
vate them and prevent them from
invading other cells. In conclusion,
cells that are infected are destroyed
with the aid of chemical sub-
stances, which were prepared prior
to the attack.
AFTER THE WAR
After the battle is won, and the disease
has been eradicated, suppressor T cells
stop the whole offensive system.
Memory T and B cells remain in the
blood and lymphatic system in order to
become immediately activated in case a
virus of the same type is met.