cytotoxic T cell

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Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A type of white blood cell (T cell) with CD8 receptors: A cytotoxic T cell is a specific type of lymphocyte (T cell) that carries CD8 receptor molecules on its surface.
    • An immune cell that destroys infected or abnormal cells: Its primary function is to identify and kill body cells that are infected by viruses or have become cancerous.
Usage
  • Noun:
    • Cytotoxic T cells are essential for fighting viral infections.
    • The vaccine aims to stimulate the body's production of cytotoxic T cells.
    • A deficiency in cytotoxic T cells can make a person more susceptible to certain illnesses.
Advanced Usage
  • "Cytotoxic T cell response": Refers to the collective activity and proliferation of these cells when the immune system is activated.
    • The strength of the cytotoxic T cell response determines the effectiveness of clearing the infection.
  • "Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)": A synonymous term often used in medical and scientific literature.
    • The study focused on the role of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in tumor immunity.
Variants and Related Words
  • Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) (n): Another name for a cytotoxic T cell.
  • CD8+ T cell (n): A technical term highlighting the presence of the CD8 receptor, often used interchangeably with cytotoxic T cell.
  • Killer T cell (n): An informal name describing its function.
Synonyms
  • Killer T cell: A common synonym emphasizing its destructive function.
  • CD8+ T cell: A more technical synonym focusing on its surface marker.
Related Phrases
  • T cell-mediated immunity: The broader immune response in which cytotoxic T cells play a central role.
    • Protection against the virus relies on T cell-mediated immunity.
  • Cell-mediated cytotoxicity: The process by which cytotoxic T cells destroy target cells.
    • The assay measured the level of cell-mediated cytotoxicity.
Related Idioms

No specific idioms are commonly associated with this technical term.

Noun
  1. T cell with CD8 receptor that recognizes antigens on the surface of a virus-infected cell and binds to the infected cell and kill it