What cell regulates the immune response?

T cells play a pivotal role in regulating the immune response due to their involvement in both the activation of other immune cells and the direct elimination of infected or cancerous cells. They are a type of lymphocyte categorized as either CD4+ (helper T cells) or CD8+ (cytotoxic T cells). Helper T cells are crucial for orchestrating the immune response by releasing cytokines that coordinate the actions of B cells, macrophages, and other immune cells, effectively ensuring a well-rounded and effective immune reaction. Cytotoxic T cells have the ability to directly kill infected or malignant cells.

Dendritic cells are also important, as they act as antigen-presenting cells that capture, process, and present antigens to T cells. However, while they initiate the immune response, it is primarily T cells that regulate and amplify the immune response through their diverse roles. B cells, while responsible for producing antibodies, rely on T cells for their activation and class-switching processes. Kupffer cells, located in the liver, are specialized macrophages and play a role in the immune response within that organ, but they do not regulate the immune response as broadly as T cells do.