also known as “killer†T cells, a type of immune system cell that can directly attack infected cells.
A type of T cell (also known as a killer T cell) that is activated by other immune cells to seek out and destroy specific foreign antigens.
si-toe-tocks-ik T SEL Immune system cell that kills nonself cells by binding them and releasing chemicals. 797 Return to Glossary feedback form | permissions | international | locate your campus rep | request a review copy digital solutions | publish with us | customer service | mhhe home
immune cell involved in recognising and destroying infected or cancerous cells.
Type of T lymphocyte responsible for killing infected cells.
A type of white blood cell that can directly destroy specific cells. T cells can be separated from other blood cells, grown in the laboratory, and then given to a patient to destroy tumor cells. Certain cytokines can also be given to a patient to help form cytotoxic T cells in the patient's body.
a subset of T cells that carry a specific marker (CD8) and can destroy body cells infected by viruses or transformed by cancer.
A T lymphocyte (which usually expresses CD8) that kills its target cell on recognizing complexes of peptides and major-histocompatibility-complex molecules on the target-cell membrane.
Cell that kills target cells bearing appropriate antigen within the groove of an MHC class I molecule that is identical to that of the T cell.
T cell with CD8 antigen on cell surface, recognizes HLA class 1 antigens presented on cell and kills the cell. Also called CD8 cells and killer cells
A cytotoxic T cell (also known as TC, CTL or killer T cell) belongs to a sub-group of T lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) which are capable of inducing the death of infected somatic or tumor cells; they kill cells that are infected with viruses (or other pathogens), or are otherwise damaged or dysfunctional. Most cytotoxic T cells express T-cell receptors (TcRs) that can recognise a specific antigenic peptide bound to Class I MHC molecules on an antigen presenting cell, and a glycoprotein called CD8, which is attracted to non-variable portions of the Class I MHC molecule. The affinity between CD8 and the MHC molecule keeps the TC cell and the target cell bound closely together during antigen-specific activation.