What role do cytokines play in the immune response?

Cytokines are vital signaling molecules in the immune response. Their primary role is to facilitate communication between cells, particularly within the immune system. By signaling other immune cells for activation, cytokines help orchestrate a coordinated response to pathogens, ensuring that the immune system can efficiently target and eliminate these threats.

For instance, when an infection occurs, cytokines are released by various cells to attract immune cells such as T cells and macrophages to the site of infection. This recruitment is crucial for a robust and effective immune response. The activation of these immune cells enhances their ability to detect and deal with pathogens, paving the way for both immediate and long-term immunity.

In contrast, the other choices focus on functions that cytokines do not primarily perform. While some immune cells do kill pathogens directly, that action is mainly performed by cells like cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells. The formation of barriers to seal injury sites is mainly the role of physical and cellular components involved in tissue repair, rather than cytokine activity. Also, the production of antibodies is carried out by B cells, not cytokines themselves. Thus, option B accurately describes the essential function of cytokines in the immune system.