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OKT-cells

Cell's recognised by monoclonal antibodies to t lymphocyte antigens: OKT-3 cell's are T lymphocytes as a class, since all share a common leukocyte differentiation antigen; OKT-4 cell's are helper cell's; OKT-8 cell's are suppressor cell's. OKT-4/OKT-8 expresses the ratio of helper to suppressor cell's, sometimes used as a measure of the functional status of the immune system and thus a basis for clinical diagnosis and prognosis. Current usage favours using cD designations.

Origin: Ortho-Kung T-cell