CD8
CD8
CD8 (pronounced "C-D-eight") is a transmembrane glycoprotein that serves as a co-receptor for the T cell receptor (TCR).
Etymology
The term "CD8" stands for "Cluster of Differentiation 8". The "CD" nomenclature was established at a series of international workshops intended to classify monoclonal antibodies against leukocyte surface antigens.
Function
CD8+ T cells are a type of T lymphocyte that can either kill infected cells directly or help control infection and tumor growth. CD8 binds to a molecule on the surface of the antigen-presenting cell called MHC class I, allowing the T cell to recognize and interact with the antigen-presenting cell.
Related Terms
- CD4: Another co-receptor that assists the T cell receptor in communicating with an antigen-presenting cell. CD4 and CD8 are structurally similar and both interact with MHC molecules, but CD4 interacts with MHC class II molecules while CD8 interacts with MHC class I.
- MHC (Major Histocompatibility Complex): A set of cell surface proteins essential for acquired immune system to recognize foreign molecules in vertebrates.
- T cell receptor: A molecule found on the surface of T cells that is responsible for recognizing fragments of antigen as peptides bound to MHC molecules.
- Antigen-presenting cell: A type of immune cell that captures, processes, and presents antigens to T cells.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on CD8
- Wikipedia's article - CD8
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski