T-cell Receptors and the Role of Cytotoxic T Cells in Immune Response

T-Cell Receptors and Cytotoxic T Cells

~ Thus CTLs develop TCRs that have antibody likemolecules on their surface that display an Ab”like” recognition for a specific pathogen.

T-cell receptors (TCRs) are proteins that are found on the surface of T-cells and are responsible for recognizing antigens. Antigens are molecules on the surface of cells or pathogens that the immune system recognizes as foreign, and TCRs specifically recognize antigens that are presented on the surface of other cells. Once a TCR recognizes an antigen, it triggers the T-cell to become activated and initiate an immune response.

Cytotoxic T cells, also known as CD8+ T cells, are a type of T-cell that are able to directly kill infected or cancerous cells. These cells are able to differentiate between normal cells and cells that have been infected or have become cancerous through their TCRs. Once activated, cytotoxic T cells release molecules called perforins and granzymes that cause the target cell to undergo apoptosis, or programmed cell death. This is an important mechanism for eliminating virus-infected cells and cancerous cells from the body.

In summary, T-cell receptors are proteins on the surface of T-cells that recognize antigens, and cytotoxic T cells are a type of T-cell that are activated by TCR recognition and can directly kill infected or cancerous cells through the release of cytotoxic molecules.

More Answers: