Here's how it works:
* Immune cells:
* T cells (specifically cytotoxic T cells) are responsible for directly killing infected cells. They recognize and destroy cells displaying viral antigens on their surface.
* Natural killer (NK) cells also target and eliminate infected cells, particularly those that lack the usual "self" markers.
* Macrophages engulf and destroy viral particles and infected cells.
* Immune proteins:
* Antibodies are produced by B cells and bind to viruses, neutralizing them and marking them for destruction by other immune cells.
* Interferons are proteins produced by infected cells that signal neighboring cells to activate antiviral defenses. They also help regulate the immune response.
* Cytokines are signaling molecules that coordinate immune cell activity and promote inflammation, which helps fight infection.
Hormones play a role in regulating the immune system but don't directly make cells resistant to viruses. For example:
* Cortisol (a stress hormone) can suppress the immune response, making individuals more susceptible to infections.
* Growth hormone can enhance immune function, but its effect on viral resistance is not fully understood.
In summary, it's not a single hormone, but the complex interplay of immune cells, proteins, and regulatory factors, including hormones, that contribute to viral resistance.
