CD8+ T cells recognise virally infected cells via their T cell receptor (TCR).

<p>The TCR binds complexes of viral peptides and HLA class I molecules at the surface of virus-infected cells. Following CD8+ T cell recognition of the infected cell, the CD8+ T cell effector mechanisms are triggered. CD8+ effector mechanisms can be lytic (killing of the infected cell) and/or non-lytic (secretion of cytokines such as IFNg and TNFa which reduce the probability of cell infection and viral production).