abnormal CD8-positive, alpha-beta T cell number decreased CD8-positive, alpha-beta T cell number Generally, when immunologists write CD8 positive T cell, what they mean is CD8-positive, alpha-beta T cell (CL:0000625). Similarly, when immunologists write CD4 positive T cell, what they mean is CD4-positive, alpha-beta T cell (CL:0000624). T cells bearing the alpha-beta T cell receptor are the most common in the body, and are the most commonly studied, so much so, that in many published papers, the authors do not even bother to specify (or assume) they are studying alpha-beta T cells and thus omit saying so. MP:0008079 MPheno.ontology decreased CD8+ T cell number decreased CD8-positive T cell number reduced CD8+ T cell number reduced CD8-positive T cell number reduction in the number of the regulatory subset of T lymphocytes that are involved in MHC class I restricted interactions decreased alpha-beta T cell number