cluster of differentiation 8
- noun
- /ˈklʌstər əv ˌdɪfərɛnˈteɪʃən eɪt/
- Specialized
:
cluster de diferenciación 8
- The presence of cluster of differentiation 8 on T cells is crucial for targeting infected cells.
Examples
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Researchers measured levels of cluster of differentiation 8 in blood samples to assess immune function.
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Most cytotoxic T lymphocytes display the cluster of differentiation 8 glycoprotein on their surfaces.
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Researchers are studying cluster of differentiation 8 in cancer therapy.
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The presence of cluster of differentiation 8 indicates cytotoxic T cells.
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Most cytotoxic T lymphocytes display the cluster of differentiation 8 glycoprotein on their surfaces.
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Researchers measured levels of cluster of differentiation 8 in blood samples to assess immune function.
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The presence of cluster of differentiation 8 on T cells is crucial for targeting infected cells.
Synonyms
2
8.1
A protein on the surface of certain immune cells that helps them find infected cells
Surface Forms
Morphology
cluster + of + differentiation + eight
Though the individual words ('cluster', 'differentiation', 'eight') have general meanings, this phrase is a domain-specific naming convention (the CD nomenclature) where 'eight' is an arbitrary identifier. A B1 learner who knows the constituent words would not be able to infer that this refers to a specific membrane glycoprotein on cytotoxic T cells, so the meaning is not compositionally predictable.
Etymology
Cluster of differentiation 8 comes from a lab naming system: scientists grouped similar proteins on the outside of cells, calling each group a cluster, used the word 'differentiate' to mean 'tell apart' cell types, and then gave each group a number — this one is 8. So cluster of differentiation 8, often short CD8, is the name for the 8th sign found on immune cells that attack infected cells, and the name helps scientists 'tell those cells apart'.