Cytotoxic T Cell

Cytotoxic T Cell Animation

T lymphocytes, the cells of cell-mediated immunity, are further subdivided into functionally distinct populations, the best defined of which one helper T cells and cytotoxic T cells.

T cells do not produce antibody molecules. Helper and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) have a restricted specificity for antigens. CTLs lyse cells that produce foreign antigens, such as cells infected by viruses and other intracellular microbes.