Biological effects / Functions & CD8+ Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes (CTLs)

Activated Cytotoxic T cell (CTL)s are essential for the immune system's ability to target and eliminate infected or malignant cells through direct cytotoxicity, cytokine production, and the formation of immune synapses.

Direct Cytotoxicity

Activated CTLs can directly kill target cells through the release of cytotoxic granules containing perforin and granzymes, which induce apoptosis in the target cells. This mechanism is crucial for eliminating virus-infected cells and cancer cells.

Cytotoxic T cell (CTL) can also induce apoptosis in target cells through the Fas-FasL pathway, where the Fas ligand on Cytotoxic T cell (CTL) binds to the Fas receptor on target cells, triggering a cascade that leads to cell death

Sharifi et al. 2004 Blood 103(10): 3821-7
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