Target Cells

The term "target cell" is used to describe any cell that possesses specific receptors for a hormone, neurotransmitter, cytokine, or other signaling molecule and is capable of responding when that molecule binds[5][3]. In experimental immunology, "target cells" may refer to cells used in cytotoxicity assays, such as cancer cells or virus-infected cells that can be lysed by cytotoxic T lymphocytes[3]. The definition is entirely context-dependent, and "target cell" does not refer to a defined protein, receptor, or gene. Therefore, it is not an appropriate entry for a database of molecular drug targets or receptors. There is significant ambiguity and an error in using "Target Cells" as if it were a structurally defined therapeutic target. In molecular databases, you should instead enter the specific receptor or molecular target involved (such as "Estrogen receptor", "PD-1", "HER2", etc.) relevant to your context.

Other names

responsive cellreceptor-bearing celleffector cell