Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte

**Semantic type:** Cell

**Definition:** Immunized T-lymphocytes which can directly destroy appropriate target cells. These cytotoxic lymphocytes may be generated in vitro in mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC), in vivo during a graft-versus-host (GVH) reaction, or after immunization with an allograft, tumor cell or virally transformed or chemically modified target cell. These cells are distinct from natural killer cells and from killer cells mediating antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity.

**Synonyms:** - CTL - Cytolytic T-Cell - Cytotoxic T Cell - Cytotoxic T Cells - Cytotoxic T lymphocyte - Cytotoxic T-Lymphocytes - T-Lymphocyte, Cytotoxic - T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic - cytotoxic T cell - cytotoxic T lymphocyte - killer T cell