Upon recognition of a target cell, CD8+ T cells release cytotoxic granules containing perforin and granzymes. Perforin forms pores in the membrane of the target cell, allowing granzymes to enter and induce apoptosis. Additionally, CD8+ T cells can express Fas ligand (FasL), which binds to Fas on the target cell surface, triggering apoptosis through the extrinsic pathway.
