Which statement about T helper cells is accurate?

T helper cells, also known as CD4+ T cells, play a crucial role in the immune system primarily by activating other immune cells. They achieve this through the release of cytokines, which are signaling proteins that help orchestrate the body’s immune response. These cytokines communicate with various cells, including B cells, cytotoxic T cells, and macrophages, prompting them to perform their functions more effectively, such as producing antibodies or attacking infected cells.

While T helper cells do have an indirect role in antibody production—since they assist B cells in recognizing antigens and can enhance their ability to produce antibodies—the statement about their primary function is specifically about their role in cytokine secretion. This distinctive function emphasizes the critical role of T helper cells in coordinating and amplifying the immune response rather than directly killing infected cells or being the first line of defense against pathogens, which are functions more closely associated with other immune cell types like cytotoxic T cells and innate immune cells, respectively.