Biological process

T cell mediated apoptosis, T cell mediated cell death, T cell mediated cell killing, T lymphocyte mediated cytotoxicity, T-cell mediated apoptosis, T-cell mediated cell death, T-cell mediated cell killing, T-cell mediated cytotoxicity, T-lymphocyte mediated cytotoxicity

The directed killing of a target cell by a T cell through the release of granules containing cytotoxic mediators or through the engagement of death receptors.

T cell mediated cytolysis

Note that either or both mechanisms mentioned in the definition may be used in this process. Note that both granule release and the engagement of death receptors on target cells result in the induction of apoptosis in the target cell. Note that both CD4 and CD8 positive T cells can mediate apoptosis of target cells, independently of their definition as 'helper' T cells or not.