T cell targeting covid-19 viruses, illustration - Illustrations

Illustration of a T lymphocyte, or T cell, white blood cells targeting SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus particles. T lymphocytes are components of the body's immune system. Helper T cells stimulate other immune cells to act against a pathogen, whereas killer T cells target and destroy infected cells themselves. SARS-CoV-2 emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, and causes a mild respiratory illness (covid-19) that can develop into pneumonia and be fatal in some cases.