Page 91 - The Miracle of the Immune System
P. 91

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.
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