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T-cell

(Science: haematology, immunology) A class of lymphocytes, so called because they are derived from the thymus and have been through thymic processing. Involved primarily in controlling cell-mediated immune reactions and in the control of b-cell development. The t-cells coordinate the immune system by secreting lymphokine hormones.

There are 3 fundamentally different types of t cells : helper, killer, and suppressor. Each has many subdivisions. T-cells are also called t lymphocytes.

They bear t-cell antigen receptors (cD3) and lack fc or C3b receptors. Major T-cell subsets are cD4 (mainly helper cells) and cD8 (mostly cytotoxic or suppressor T-cells). Uncontrolled proliferation of this type of cell gives rise to T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma.