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THYMUS DERIVED LYMPHOCYTE
A class of lymphocytes, so called because they are derived from the thymus and have been throughthymic 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 various types of t cells : helper, killer, and suppressor. Every has much subdivisions. T-cells are also called t lymphocytes.
They bearT-cellantigen 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 thistype of cell gives rise to T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma.