White blood cells involved in specific acquired immunity. They express the CD8 cell-surface receptor and recognise and kill infected cells bearing fragments of foreign proteins that are complexed with class I major histocompatibility antigens.
Cells of the immune system that kill other cells that are foreign to the body (for example, viruse infected cells, and cancer cells) including cells that have been marked with antibodies. Cytotoxic T cells are a type of white blood cells.
a lymphocyte that is able to kill foreign cells marked for destruction by the cellular immune system. CTLs can destroy cancer cells and cells infected with viruses, fungi, or certain bacteria. CTLs can destroy virus-infected cells, whereas antibodies generally target free-floating viruses in the blood. Also known as "killer T cells" and "cytotoxic lymphocytes."
T cells that can kill other cells. Most cytotoxic cells are MHC class I-restricted CD8 cells, but CD4 T cells can also kill in some cases. Cytotoxic T cells are important in host defense against cytosolic pathogens.
A type of white blood cell that can directly destroy specific cells. T cells can be separated from other blood cells and grown in the laboratory and then given to the person to destroy tumor cells. Certain cytokines can also be given to people to assist in the formation of cytotoxic T cells within the person's body.
A subset of T lymphocytes that can kill body cells infected by viruses or transformed by cancer.
recognize and destroy cells coated with antigens
A subclass of T lymphocytes sensitized to destroy cells bearing certain antigens.
Cells which can kill virally infected targets expressing antigenic peptides presented by MHC class I molecules.