T cell


nounImmunology.
  1. any of several closely related lymphocytes, developed in the thymus, that circulate in the blood and lymph and orchestrate the immune system's response to infected or malignant cells, either by lymphokine secretions or by direct contact: helper T cells recognize foreign antigen on the surfaces of other cells, then they stimulate B cells to produce antibody and signal killer T cells to destroy the antigen-displaying cells; subsequently suppressor T cells return the immune system to normal by inactivating the B cells and killer T cells.

Origin of T cell

1
1965–70; T(hymus-derived)
  • Also called T lymphocyte.

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British Dictionary definitions for T-cell

T-cell

noun
  1. another name for T-lymphocyte

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for T cell

T cell

  1. Any of the lymphocytes that develop in the thymus gland and that act in the immune system by binding antigens to receptors on the surface of their cells in what is called the cell-mediated immune response. T cells are also involved in the regulation of the function of B cells. Also called T lymphocyte See more at cell-mediated immune response. Compare B cell.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for T-cell

T-cell

Key to the immune system, these cells originate in the bone marrow but mature in the thymus (the t stands for thymus). T-cells attack other body cells that are infected by some bacteria, a virus, or another pathogen. (Compare B-cell.)

Notes for T-cell

The HIV/AIDS virus destroys a type of T-cell, leading to the syndrome characterized by a defective immune system.

Notes for T-cell

T-cell counts are used as a diagnostic test to indicate the strength of the immune system in AIDS patients.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.