<p>So named as they differentiate in the [[Thymus - Anatomy & Physiology|thymus]]. They are long lived and are involved in cell mediated immunity. They represent 60-80% of the circulating lymphocytes and all express the markers CD2, CD3 and CD7 as well as having T cell receptors (TCR). Each T cell has 30,000 TCRs each of which is identical and recognises antigens and MHC II.</p><p>Functionally they are divided into three subsets that are distinguished by presence or absence of CD4 or CD8 markers. CD4 and CD8 cells have α/β antigen receptors while the γδ cells have the γ/δ antigens receptors.</p> | <p>So named as they differentiate in the [[Thymus - Anatomy & Physiology|thymus]]. They are long lived and are involved in cell mediated immunity. They represent 60-80% of the circulating lymphocytes and all express the markers CD2, CD3 and CD7 as well as having T cell receptors (TCR). Each T cell has 30,000 TCRs each of which is identical and recognises antigens and MHC II.</p><p>Functionally they are divided into three subsets that are distinguished by presence or absence of CD4 or CD8 markers. CD4 and CD8 cells have α/β antigen receptors while the γδ cells have the γ/δ antigens receptors.</p> |