CD8

The CD8 receptor or just CD8 is a recognition molecule that plays an essential role in the immune system of a higher organism. It is a protein which is incorporated into the cell membrane of cytotoxic T cells. CD stands for cluster of differentiation.

Here, the T-cell receptor recognizes with the help of CD8 to the MHC -I complex to the body's own cells. All nucleated cells of the body ( eg erythrocytes not because they have no nucleus ) produce these MHC - I complex (Major Histocompatibility Complex) and thus show / on which proteins are produced in a cell. Cytotoxic T cells with CD8 now detect if it is self-peptides or whether it is viral peptides or peptides of mutant (and therefore often associated with cancer ) proteins. Do they recognize foreign peptides, the target cell is destroyed.

• Receptor
• Immunology