Cytotoxic T cells

Cytotoxic T cells are a type of white blood cell that play a key role in the immune system's response to infection and cancer. They are also known as CD8+ T cells because they express the CD8 glycoprotein on their surface.

Function

Cytotoxic T cells are responsible for recognizing and killing pathogen-infected cells and cancer cells. They do this by binding to antigens on the surface of these cells and releasing chemicals that trigger apoptosis, or programmed cell death.

Activation

Cytotoxic T cells are activated when they encounter an infected cell or a cancer cell. This activation process involves the binding of the T cell receptor (TCR) on the cytotoxic T cell to the antigen presented on the surface of the infected or cancerous cell. This binding triggers a series of intracellular signals that lead to the activation of the cytotoxic T cell.

Role in Immunity

Cytotoxic T cells play a crucial role in the body's immune response. They are particularly important in fighting viral infections, as they can recognize and kill virus-infected cells. They also play a role in the immune response to cancer, as they can recognize and kill cancer cells.

Role in Autoimmunity

In some cases, cytotoxic T cells can mistakenly recognize and attack the body's own cells, leading to autoimmune disease. This can occur when the T cells are not properly regulated, or when they mistakenly recognize self-antigens as foreign.

See Also

• Immune system
• White blood cell
• Antigen
• Autoimmune disease

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