Which cells are responsible for turning off the production of antibodies?

The cells responsible for turning off the production of antibodies are the suppressor T cells, also known as regulatory T cells. These cells play a crucial role in maintaining immune homeostasis and preventing excessive immune responses. When an immune response has been successfully activated to eliminate an antigen, suppressor T cells help to downregulate the activity of other immune cells, including B cells that produce antibodies. This is essential for avoiding overactivity of the immune system, which could lead to autoimmune disorders, where the body begins to attack its own tissues.

Suppressor T cells achieve this regulation by releasing inhibitory cytokines and signaling other immune cells to reduce their activity. Their action ensures that once the threat is eliminated, the immune system can return to a resting state, thus conserving resources and preventing potential damage from an overly vigorous immune response.

In contrast, the other cell types listed have different primary functions. T helper cells are primarily involved in activating and regulating the immune response by helping B cells produce antibodies. Memory T cells are crucial for providing long-term immunity by remembering past infections, while cytotoxic T cells are mainly responsible for directly killing infected or cancerous cells. Thus, while these cells play vital roles in the immune system, it is the suppressor T cells that specifically control