How Do Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes Differentiate and Mature?
CTLs originate from hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow and undergo maturation in the thymus. During their development, they undergo positive and negative selection processes to ensure self-tolerance and the ability to recognize foreign antigens. Upon encountering their specific antigen in the periphery, they undergo further activation and proliferation. This differentiation is often supported by helper T cells and the release of cytokines such as interleukin-2 (IL-2).
