For any one cell the cytokine-secreting activation state is short-lived, lasting between 4 - 40 hours. After this time these cells either die, or mature into the long-lived memory cells. The proliferation of T cells continues until antigen disappears. | For any one cell the cytokine-secreting activation state is short-lived, lasting between 4 - 40 hours. After this time these cells either die, or mature into the long-lived memory cells. The proliferation of T cells continues until antigen disappears. |