The two major subsets of T lymphocytes, helper and cytotoxic T cells, are defined by expression of CD4 and CD8 glycoproteins, respectively. T cell coreceptor CD8 exists on mature T cells as homodimers of CD8α polypeptide chains and heterodimers of CD8α and CD8β chains. T cells expressing the CD8 surface antigens constitute an important component of the specific effector mechanism in immuno-surveillance against virus-infected or transformed cells and are thus termed cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs). CD8+ CTL recognize endogenously derived peptides in the context of the MHC class I molecule. This recognition process also involves CD8 which binds to the α3-domain of the MHC class Ia molecule. This antibody, raised against antigens from Ginbuna carp, permits flow cytometric and immunofluorescence analysis of CD8α T cytotoxic cells from zebrafish, goldfish and the cyprinid fish carp.

Source: Dr. Teruyuki Nakanishi, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, University of Japan

References:
1) Toda H., et al. Allo-antigen specific killing is mediated by CD8 positive T cells in fish. Dev. Comp. Immunol. (2009) 33 (4), 646-652.
2) Shibasaki Y., et al. Kinetics of lymphoid subpopulations in allogeneic grafted scales of ginbuna crucian carp. Dev Comp Immunol. (2015) 52 (1), 75-80.

The two major subsets of T lymphocytes, helper and cytotoxic T cells, are defined by expression of CD4 and CD8 glycoproteins, respectively. T cell coreceptor CD8 exists on mature T cells as homodimers of CD8α polypeptide chains and heterodimers of CD8α and CD8β chains. T cells expressing the CD8 surface antigens constitute an important component of the specific effector mechanism in immuno-surveillance against virus-infected or transformed cells and are thus termed cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs). CD8+ CTL recognize endogenously derived peptides in the context of the MHC class I molecule. This recognition process also involves CD8 which binds to the α3-domain of the MHC class Ia molecule. This antibody, raised against antigens from Ginbuna carp, permits flow cytometric and immunofluorescence analysis of CD8α T cytotoxic cells from zebrafish, goldfish and the cyprinid fish carp.

Source: Dr. Teruyuki Nakanishi, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, University of Japan

References:
1) Toda H., et al. Allo-antigen specific killing is mediated by CD8 positive T cells in fish. Dev. Comp. Immunol. (2009) 33 (4), 646-652.
2) Shibasaki Y., et al. Kinetics of lymphoid subpopulations in allogeneic grafted scales of ginbuna crucian carp. Dev Comp Immunol. (2015) 52 (1), 75-80.