Definitions for "Cytotoxic T cells"
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."