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CD8 CTL Killer T Cell Cartoon

Cytotoxic T cells

T cells are named after the organ they develop in, the Thymus.

Cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) are a special type of T cells with the ability to kill other cells. Usually they kill cells that have been infected with a virus. This way the virus can no longer use these cells for replicating inside of them. CTLs secrete cytotoxins to kill the other cells and are therefore called “cytotoxic” T cells.