What does CTL mean in PHYSIOLOGY

Cytotoxic T-Lymphocytes (CTLs) are a type of immune cell that have the ability to detect and destroy viral infected cells, cancer cells, and other abnormal tissues. They are an important component of the adaptive immune system, providing protection against both infections and cancer.

CTLs identify potential threats in the body by recognizing antigens associated with viruses or cancer cells on the surface of other cells. Once identified, CTLs release proteins called perforins which create holes in the threatened cell's membrane leading to its death.

Yes, there are three main types of cytotoxic lymphocytes; CD8+ T Cells (with CD8 receptors on their surfaces), Natural Killer Cells (which can recognize certain tumor cells without antigen recognition) and gamma delta T Cells (which recognize antigens expressed outside thymic tolerance).

Yes, they do. In autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis, CTLs can be used to reduce inflammation and control disease activity. They can also be used as an immunosuppressant after organ transplantation to prevent rejection.

In medicine, cytotoxic T Lymphocytes have multiple roles such as identifying viral infections or cancers as well as suppressing autoimmune responses or preventing post-transplant rejection reactions. They also offer hope for future treatments such as immunotherapies for cancer treatment or therapeutic vaccines for HIV infection.