What is the primary role of killer T cells?

The primary role of killer T cells, also known as cytotoxic T cells, is to destroy infected or cancerous cells. These cells play a crucial part in the immune response by directly recognizing and eliminating cells that have been compromised by infections, such as viruses, or that exhibit abnormal growth, like cancer cells. They achieve this through the release of cytotoxic proteins that induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in these targeted cells.

While other immune cells contribute to different functions, killer T cells are specifically distinguished by their ability to identify and eliminate cells that present foreign antigens. This direct attack is vital for protecting the body from diseases and maintaining its overall health. Different roles such as antibody production, pathogen engulfment, or the activation of other immune cells are performed by other components of the immune system, highlighting the specialized function of killer T cells in targeting and destroying compromised cells.