Cytotoxic T cells
Cytotoxic T cells
Cytotoxic T cells (pronunciation: sy-toh-TOX-ik T cells), also known as CD8+ T cells, are a type of T cell that play a key role in the immune system's response to infection and cancer.
Etymology
The term "cytotoxic" is derived from the Greek words "kytos" meaning "cell" and "toxicos" meaning "poison". This reflects the cell's ability to kill other cells. The "T" in T cell stands for thymus, the organ in which these cells mature.
Function
Cytotoxic T cells are responsible for identifying and killing infected cells and cancer cells. They do this by recognizing specific antigens on the surface of these cells. Once an antigen is recognized, the cytotoxic T cell releases cytokines and cytotoxic granules that induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in the target cell.
Related Terms
- T cell: A type of white blood cell that is an essential part of the immune system.
- Immune system: The body's defense against infectious organisms and other invaders.
- Infection: The invasion of an organism's body tissues by disease-causing agents.
- Cancer: A group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells.
- Antigen: A substance that induces an immune response, especially the production of antibodies.
- Cytokine: A type of protein that is important in cell signaling in the immune system.
- Apoptosis: The process of programmed cell death that occurs in multicellular organisms.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cytotoxic T cells
- Wikipedia's article - Cytotoxic T cells
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