Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
CD4 cell

CD4 cell

5.1
A white blood cell that helps control the immune system and that HIV attacks
  • noun
  • /siː diː fɔːr sɛl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : célula CD4
  • CD4 cells play a crucial role in coordinating the immune response by stimulating B cells and killer T cells.
  • CD4 cell count
  • CD4 cell decline
  • circulating CD4 cells

Examples

  • Disease progression, though correlated with the decline in CD4-cell counts and the increase in concentrations of HIV-1 RNA in plasma, shows much variability among individuals.

    Academic text (1996)

  • Studies have shown that effective administration of these HAART regimens can result in a large-scale decrease in plasma levels of viral RNA, as well as a significant increase in CD4 cell count 7-9.

    Blog text (19)

  • CD4-cell count profiles were found to be roughly linear.

    Academic text (1996)

  • However, no relationship was seen between low CD4 cell counts and the development of amebic colitis.

    Academic text (2012)

  • For HIV-positive patients, we determined CD4 cell counts within 1 week of endoscopy.

    Academic text (2012)

  • The results exclude, with more than 95% certainty, that vaccine therapy would result in at least a 40% reduction in CD4 cell decline.

    Academic text (1996)

  • Disease progression in these subgroups was correlated with a decline in circulating CD4 cells and a rise in plasma beta 2 microglobulin.

    Academic text (1992)

  • Exposure to microfoci of fungi containing H. capsulatum as a risk for exogenous infection has been reported in AIDS patients with low CD4 cell counts.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Median CD4 cell count was 230 cells/L (IQR 89.5-401 cells/L).

    Academic text (2012)

  • Depletion of CD4 cells is also associated with liver injury from other causes, such as opportunistic infections or hepatotoxicity of drugs used for prophylaxis or treatment of such infections.

    Academic text (2002)

Synonyms

helper cell
vsCD4 cell
  • Specialized
1 4.9

A white blood cell that helps other immune cells fight infections

is the same cell often discussed with disease vulnerability rather than naming details
CD4 T cell
vsCD4 cell
  • Specialized
4.6

A white blood cell that helps the body fight infection by guiding other immune cells

is the same cell described by another closely matching name
helper T cell
vsCD4 cell
  • Specialized
4.2

A white blood cell that recognizes infected cells and helps other immune cells fight infection

puts emphasis on secretion of signaling proteins rather than general coordination

Surface Forms

CD4 cell singular
CD4 cells plural

Morphology

CD4 + cell

The phrase is directly compositional: a B1 learner who knows 'CD4' as a protein/receptor involved in immunity and 'cell' as a microscopic living unit can infer this refers to a cell that has CD4 receptors and participates in immune responses. Although the term is biomedical and more specialist in use, its meaning is transparently built from the constituent parts and thus predictable to someone who knows both words.

Etymology

CD4 cell gets its name from a small marker on the outside of the cell called CD4, like a tiny name tag that helps the immune system find and use it. Because the virus HIV uses that CD4 tag to enter the cell, doctors watch CD4 cell numbers to see how well the immune system is working.