[aborowie]

Cytokines are signaling molecules used by the immune system, there are around 20 of them with names like IL-4 and IL-10. The IL stands for inter leukin (signal between white blood cells).

T Cells start as B Cells and then graduate from Thymus school after rigorous coursework (mainly don’t target and attack self). Most T helper cells stay as Th0 or undifferentiated. Th1 are specialized for inter cellular pathogens (bacteria and virus), Th2 broadly speaking are specialized for intra cellular pathogens (helminths and parasites).

Pathogens that have been around for a while like bacteria, virus, helminths, and parasites have evolved to push back against immune systems to varying degrees.

Source “The Body” by Bill Bryson

[yhoneycomb]

I think it's so interesting how this guy asked pretty rudimentary questions and got such an amazing response. I wish the tech community could be just as nice to newcomers.

[haimez]

Probably not as many “PHP App” authors in the immunology space, so frustration with newcomers could reasonably be expected to be lower.