activate those cells

[GoodTaste]

Does "those cells" refer to "immune cells such as T-cells and macrophages"?

If so, what I don't understand is why not use "these cells" if you've already mentioned them in a previous sentence?

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When the immune system is fighting pathogens, cytokines signal immune cells such as T-cells and macrophages to travel to the site of infection. In addition, cytokines activate those cells, stimulating them to produce more cytokines. Normally, this feedback loop is kept in check by the body. However, in some instances, the reaction becomes uncontrolled, and too many immune cells are activated in a single place.

From: Sino Biological
https://www.sinobiological.com/Cytokine-Storm-Cytokine-Storms-a-5800.html

 

[jutfrank]

1) Yes.

1) The writer must have thought that it helped to close the 'gap of reference', as it were. I think he could have gotten away with using these with no loss of reference.

 

[teechar]

Many people use "these" and "those" (and "this" and "that") loosely/interchangeably.