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AAT Bioquest

What are the differences between C4 cells and CD8 cells?

Posted April 17, 2024


Answer

Basis of differentiation 

CD4 cells

CD8 cells

Definition 

Are white blood cells that play a key role in fighting against infection 

Are cytotoxic cells that play a key role in inducing apoptosis of cancerous or infectious cells

Also known as 

T helper cells

Cytotoxic T cells

Antigen recognition 

Only recognize antigens presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class II

Only recognize antigens presented by MHC Class I

Mechanism of action

Trigger the immune response by recognizing pathogens and secreting cytokines that signal other immune cells

Destroy infected and cancerous cells by phagocytosis 

Function 

Play a key role in antigen presentation to B cells

Play a key role in indirect phagocytosis

Additional resources

CD4-CD8 differentiation in the thymus: connecting circuits and building memories

CD4 (Leu3, T4)

CD8 (TCR, Leu2, T8)

iFluor® 488 Anti-human CD45 Antibody *AHC0057*

CD8 Infographic

CD4 Infographic