Question

What is an immune disease that impacts cytotoxic T cells and how does it?

Answer 1

1. Cytotoxic/Cytolytic T cells (Tc), are with CD8 surface markers and MHC class-I restriction, which can kill and lyse target cells carrying new or foreign antigens including tumor, allograft and virus-infected cells.

2. CD4-8+TCR alpha beta cells are cytotoxic T cells, inhibiting B cell antibody synthesis and acting as cytotoxic effector cells.

3. Cytotoxic T cells are activated when they interact with antigen class-I MHC complex on the surface of an altered self-cell (like tumor/virus infected cell) in presence of appropriate cytokines.

4. This activation, results in proliferation which causes the Tc cells to differentiate into an effector cell called cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), and hence acquire the ability to recognise and eliminate altered self-cells.5. In Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection, Tc cells kill infected cells and produce antiviral cytokines capable of purging HBV from viable cells.

6. Cytotoxic T cells also have a role in progression of arthritis, HIV infection, Type I diabetes, Chemotherapy, induced peripheral neuropathy etc.