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Related Concept Videos

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Cell-based Flow Cytometry Assay to Measure Cytotoxic Activity
10:14

Cell-based Flow Cytometry Assay to Measure Cytotoxic Activity

Published on: December 17, 2013

Cytotoxic human CD4(+) T cells.

Pablo J van de Berg1, Ester M van Leeuwen, Ineke J ten Berge

  • 1Department of Experimental Immunology and Renal Transplant Unit, AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Current Opinion in Immunology
|April 29, 2008
PubMed
Summary

CD4(+) T cells are crucial for adaptive immunity, providing help for CD8(+) T cells and B cells. A subset also directly kills targets, impacting disease and potentially vaccines.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • CD4(+) T cells are essential for adaptive immune responses.
  • They provide helper signals for CD8(+) T cell activation and B cell differentiation.
  • A subset of CD4(+) T cells exhibits direct cytotoxic functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the dual role of CD4(+) T cells in adaptive immunity.
  • To investigate the cytotoxic capabilities of a specific CD4(+) T cell subpopulation.
  • To understand the implications of cytotoxic CD4(+) T cells in disease and vaccination.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of T cell helper functions.
  • Characterization of CD4(+) T cell cytotoxicity.
  • Investigation of MHC class II-restricted peptide-specific killing.

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Preparation and Use of HIV-1 Infected Primary CD4+ T-Cells as Target Cells in Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxic Assays
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Preparation and Use of HIV-1 Infected Primary CD4+ T-Cells as Target Cells in Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxic Assays

Published on: March 14, 2011

Expanding Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes from Umbilical Cord Blood that Target Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr Virus, and Adenovirus
11:18

Expanding Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes from Umbilical Cord Blood that Target Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr Virus, and Adenovirus

Published on: May 7, 2012

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Last Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Cell-based Flow Cytometry Assay to Measure Cytotoxic Activity
10:14

Cell-based Flow Cytometry Assay to Measure Cytotoxic Activity

Published on: December 17, 2013

Preparation and Use of HIV-1 Infected Primary CD4+ T-Cells as Target Cells in Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxic Assays
12:07

Preparation and Use of HIV-1 Infected Primary CD4+ T-Cells as Target Cells in Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxic Assays

Published on: March 14, 2011

Expanding Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes from Umbilical Cord Blood that Target Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr Virus, and Adenovirus
11:18

Expanding Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes from Umbilical Cord Blood that Target Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr Virus, and Adenovirus

Published on: May 7, 2012

Main Results:

  • CD4(+) T cells license antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to activate naive CD8(+) T cells.
  • CD4(+) T cells support B cell differentiation into plasma cells.
  • A subpopulation of CD4(+) T cells demonstrates peptide-specific, MHC class II-restricted cytotoxicity.

Conclusions:

  • CD4(+) T cells possess both helper and direct effector (cytotoxic) functions.
  • Cytotoxic CD4(+) T cells are implicated in pathogen defense, autoimmune diseases, and vascular damage.
  • Targeting cytotoxic CD4(+) T cell induction presents a potential future vaccine strategy.