A type of lymphocyte that helps regulate immune responses and can directly recognize and respond to infected, abnormal, or foreign cells.
T lymphocytes, commonly called T cells, are white blood cells that are central to the adaptive immune system. They develop from precursor cells in the bone marrow and mature in the thymus, which is where the “T” in T lymphocyte comes from.
Different T-cell types have different functions. CD4 T lymphocytes help coordinate immune responses, while CD8 T lymphocytes can directly kill infected or abnormal cells. Other T-cell populations help regulate immune activity and maintain appropriate immune responses.
QUICK FACT
The “T” in T lymphocyte refers to the thymus, where these cells mature, not to a specific function of the cell.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
B lymphocyte: T lymphocytes primarily coordinate or carry out cell-mediated immune responses, while B lymphocytes are best known for producing antibodies after becoming plasma cells.
SEE ALSO