killer T cells, immune system cell that kills cancerous or infected cells, primary type of cell involved in cell-mediated immunity, CTL (Immunology)
A cytotoxic T cell (also known as TC, CTL, T-Killer cell 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 recognize a specific
antigenic peptide bound to
Class I MHC molecules, present on all nucleated cells, 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. CD8+ T cells are recognized as TC cells once they become activated and are generally classified as having a pre-defined cytotoxic role within the immune system.
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also known as killer T cells, CTLs are a type of white blood cell with surface antigen receptors that bind to fragments of antigens displayed by certain molecules of virus-infected somatic and tumor cells.
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