has part develops from capable of output of CD8-positive, alpha-beta T cell CD8-positive, alpha-beta cytotoxic T cell cytotoxic T cell cytotoxic T-lymphocyte killer T lymphocyte CD8-positive, alpha-beta cytotoxic T-lymphocyte killer T cell CD8-positive, alpha-beta cytotoxic T-cell Note that while T cells of this subset are loosely referred to 'cytotoxic T cells,' as many other T cell types, including CD4-positive, alpha-beta T cells and gamma-delta T cells exhibit cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo. The CD8-positive, alpha-beta cytotoxic T cell plays a crucial role in the immune response system of vertebrates. A key feature of these cells is the expression of CD8, a transmembrane glycoprotein that serves as a co-receptor for the T cell receptor (TCR). Notably, the alpha-beta refers to the TCR heterodimer on the T cell, utilized to recognize the antigens displayed by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I molecules on antigen-presenting cells. Functioning primarily to combat intracellular pathogens, CD8+ T cells primarily seek and destroy cells infected by viruses or transformed by cancer. The TCR on the CD8+ T cell recognizes and binds to the antigen-MHC I complex displayed on the infected cell’s surface. Following this interaction, along with the engagement of co-stimulatory molecules, the T cell becomes activated. Upon activation, the CD8+ T cell proliferates and differentiates into cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), ready to survey the body for the recognized antigen. CTLs employ two major cytotoxic mechanisms: the release of cytotoxic granules and the expression of death-inducing ligands on their surface. Cytotoxic granules contain perforin, a protein that forms pores in the targeted cell membrane, and granzymes, enzymes that trigger apoptosis inside the targeted cell through the activation of caspases. The Fas ligand and TRAIL death-inducing ligands on CTLs also bind to their respective receptors on the target cell and initiate a caspase cascade leading to cell death of the target. This cytotoxic function of the CD8+ alpha-beta T cell is critical in the control of infections and in cancer surveillance. (This extended description was generated by ChatGPT and reviewed by the CellGuide team, who added references, and by the CL editors, who approved it for inclusion in CL. It may contain information that applies only to some subtypes and species, and so should not be considered definitional.) CD8-positive, alpha-beta cytotoxic T lymphocyte https://cellxgene.cziscience.com/cellguide/CL_0000794 cytotoxic T lymphocyte A CD8-positive, alpha-beta T cell that is capable of killing target cells in an antigen specific manner with the phenotype perforin-positive and granzyme B-positive. CALOHA:TS-0190 cytotoxic T-cell killer T-lymphocyte killer T-cell activated CD8-positive, alpha-beta T cell T cell mediated cytotoxicity T cell differentiation granzyme B localization to T cell secretory granule perforin-1 granzyme B