Epstein-Barr virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte

Epstein-Barr virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes are a subset of T cells, most commonly CD8+ but also occasionally CD4+, that have been primed to recognize and kill cells expressing Epstein-Barr virus antigens, such as infected B cells or tumor cells in EBV-driven lymphomas. These cells play a key role in controlling EBV infection and maintaining lifelong latency of the virus, and their dysregulation can be associated with failure to control infection or the development of lymphoproliferative disease. In research and clinical therapy, EBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes can be isolated, expanded ex vivo, and infused into patients to restore or enhance anti-EBV immunity, especially in the context of immunosuppression or EBV-associated malignancy. They act by recognizing EBV peptides presented on MHC molecules of infected cells and exerting cytotoxic effects predominantly through granule-mediated apoptosis or death receptor signaling pathways[1][2][3][4][5].

Other names

EBV-specific CTLEBV cytotoxic T cellcytotoxic T lymphocyte specific for EBVEBV-CTL

Recognition of EBV antigen-presenting target cells via TCR-MHC interaction (class I for CD8+ CTLs, class II for CD4+ CTLs) Induction of apoptosis in infected or transformed cells using perforin/granzyme pathway or Fas/FasL interaction[1][2][3][5]