Why Buy Human CD8+ T Cells, also Known as Cytotoxic T Cells from Us?
We perform thorough donor screening and product QC testing to ensure consistent, high-quality CD8+ T cells for research and discovery.
- Guaranteed post-thaw viability ≥ 90% as tested by NucleoCounter NC-200™
- Guaranteed CD8+ T cell post-thaw purity ≥ 90% as tested via flow cytometry
- Guaranteed yields post-thaw as listed per vial size
- Isolated from fresh leukopaks collected from healthy human donors who have consented under an IRB-approved protocol
- Available using either positive or negative immunomagnetic cell selection
- Fill volume is 1ml of CD8+ T cells in a 2ml vial size
- Comprehensive donor screening (serology and infectious disease panel)
Buy the CD8+ Cytotoxic T Cells that Best Work for Your Research
-
CD8+ T Cells
CD8+ T cells, (also known as cytotoxic T cells), are critical components of the adaptive immune system, killing pathogen-infected cells and attacking cancerous tumors. CD8+ cytotoxic T cells are activated by CD4+ Helper T cells to elicit an immune response.
Cell & Isolation Type Size Product Code CD8+ Cytotoxic T Cells
(Positive Selection)5 x 10e6 cells PB08C-1 10 x 10e6 cells PB08C-2 Custom PB08C-KIT* Full Leukopak Isolation PB08C-FL-KIT* CD8+ Cytotoxic T Cells (Negative Selection) 5 x 10e6 cells PB08NC-1 10 x 10e6 cells PB08NC-2 25 x 10e6 cells PB08NC-2 Custom PB08NC-KIT* Full Leukopak Isolation PB08NC-FL-KIT* Contact us if you don’t see a specific product, size, or format, or would like to customize your request.
* Product is made to order.Your company or academic institution may be eligible for pricing discounts. Government labs located in the United States are also eligible for GSA MAS discounts. Request a quote to find out more.
-
Memory CD8+ T Cells
Memory CD8+ T cells are T cells that have already encountered and been activated by specific antigens, enabling them to quickly react to invading pathogens. These cells persist long-term and are capable of rapidly proliferating and regaining their former cytotoxic function following re-emergence of an immune challenge to swiftly eliminate the threat.
Memory CD8+ Cytotoxic T Cells
(Negative Selection)5 x 10e6 cells PB0845RONC-1* Full Leukopak Isolation PB0845RONC-FL-KIT* Contact us if you don’t see a specific product, size, or format, or would like to customize your request.
* Product is made to order.Your company or academic institution may be eligible for pricing discounts. Government labs located in the United States are also eligible for GSA MAS discounts. Request a quote to find out more.
What are CD8+ T Cells Used for?
CD8+ cytotoxic T cells play a critical role in anti-tumor immunity and have been used as the backbone for the advancement of successful cancer immunotherapies. New generations of CAR-T therapies using CD8+ cytotoxic T cells with genetically modified or synthetic receptors are continuously being developed and evaluated in clinical trials.1
CD8+ cytotoxic T cells are also used to examine the effectiveness of cancer therapy strategies involving immune checkpoint inhibitors (such as anti-PD-1/PD-L1), which have greatly improved the clinical outcomes of several cancers.1, 2 In addition, visualization of CD8+ T cells using in vivo imaging techniques, such as PET, can be used as a biomarker to monitor immune status and cancer progression to help improve patient understanding and implement precision medicine.3
Lastly, CD8+ cytotoxic T cells are used for the development of antigen-specific T cells (ASTCs) to examine activation and specificity of the immune system during episodes of cancer, pathogen infection, and autoimmunity.
1. Raskov, H., Orhan, A., Christensen, J.P. et al. Cytotoxic CD8+ T cells in cancer and cancer immunotherapy. Br J Cancer 124, 359–367 (2021).
2. Chen, Y., Yu, D., Qian, H. et al. CD8+ T cell-based cancer immunotherapy. J Transl Med 22, 394 (2024).
3. Zhang Jiani , Du Bulin , Wang Yuxiang , Cui Yan , Wang Shu , Zhao Yuxuan , Li Yaming , Li Xuena. The role of CD8 PET imaging in guiding cancer immunotherapy. Frontiers in Immunology 15, 2024).
Isolation of CD8+ Cytotoxic T Cells: Differences Between Positive and Negative Selection
CD8+ T cells can be isolated using either positive or negative immunomagnetic cell separation techniques. During positive selection, the cytotoxic T cells are directly targeted by the immunomagnetic beads using antibodies specific to the CD8 surface biomarker. Negative selection means that every other cell type that is not desired is removed using the immunomagnetic beads, thus leaving only the targeted CD8+ cytotoxic T cells untouched.
| CD8+ T Cells | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Positive Selection | • Better selection specificity
| • Antibodies or labeling agents attached to target cells can impact subsequent applications/assays • Attached antibodies can lead to T cell activation |
| Negative Selection | • Preferred when target cells have weak or unidentified surface biomarkers • CD8+ T cells are untouched with the immunomagnetic beads, thus avoiding unwanted cell activation | • May result in lower CD8+ T cell yields
|
What is the Frequency of CD8+ Cytotoxic T Cells in a Leukopak?
To characterize CD8+ cytotoxic T cell yield and assess inter-donor variability, Charles River analyzed a cohort of 263 healthy donor fresh leukopak collections by examining the frequency of CD8+ T cells through flow cytometry. As shown in the figure below, the percentage of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells ranged between 3% and 36%, with an average of 15% of the total white blood cell (WBC) population in the leukopaks.
Frequently Asked Questions About CD8+ T Cells
-
How are the CD8+ T cells cryopreserved?
Our CD8+ T cells are cryopreserved using CryoStor® CS10, which is pre-formulated with 10% DMSO, and stored in vapor phase liquid nitrogen prior to shipping.
-
What are the thawing and storage recommendations for the CD8+ cytotoxic T cells?
Upon receipt, either prepare the CD8+ cytotoxic T cells for long-term storage in liquid nitrogen vapor phase or thaw for immediate use. Storage in liquid phase nitrogen is NOT recommended. Long-term storage of cells at -80°C is also NOT recommended. Once thawed, samples must be used immediately.
Please refer to this protocol for detailed step-by-step thawing instructions.
-
How should CD8+ T cells be handled?
CD8+ T cells should be handled following biosafety level 2 procedures. Universal precautions should be utilized when working with these cells. Use aseptic techniques with thawing or handling the CD8+ T cells.
-
Which screening tests are performed on the donors before the CD8+ cytotoxic T cells are purified?
CD8+ cytotoxic T cells collected from donors are tested the same day in accordance with FDA requirements for blood for transfusion according to current FDA requirements for allogeneic blood donation. The following screening tests are performed and reported in the COA.
- Serological test for Syphilis
- Unexpected red cell antibody screening
- Hepatitis B Core Antibody (Anti-HBc EIA)
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg EIA)
- Hepatitis C Virus Antibody (Anti-HCV EIA)
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus Antibody (HIV 1/2 plus O)
- Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Antibody (HTLV-I/II)
- HIV-1/HCV/HBV Nucleic Acid Testing
- West Nile Virus Nucleic Acid Testing
- Trypanosoma cruzi Antibody (Chagas Disease)
CMV testing result is also available upon request.
-
How soon can I expect to receive my shipment of CD8+ T cells?
We will ship based on the shipping terms referenced in the Product Order Form (POF) when you place your order and after review and confirmation of your order.
Domestic Orders / Next-day Delivery
• Via specialty couriers
• Via FedEx First Overnight by 8:30 AM
• Via FedEx Priority by 10:30 AM
International Orders
Shipping times will vary depending on the destination country and the customs clearance process.