T cells are named after the organ they develop in, the Thymus.
T cells are a type of white blood cell that play a crucial role in our immune system’s ability to fight infections and diseases. There are two main types of T cells: helper CD4 T cells and killer CD8 T cells. Helper CD4 T cells help activate and coordinate the immune response by communicating with other cells, while killer CD8 T cells directly attack and destroy infected or abnormal cells in the body. CD8 killer T cells are also known as cytotoxic T cells (CTLs). Together, these T cells work to keep us healthy and protected from harmful invaders such as virus, bacteria and abnormal cancerous cells.