The Role and Research Progress of CD8+ T Cells in Sepsis

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome induced by infection, characterized by high morbidity and mortality, and responsible for over 11 million deaths worldwide annually. Recent studies have demonstrated that immune dysfunction represents a core element in the pathophysiology of sepsis, in which cluster of differentiation 8–positive (CD8+) T cells, as key executors of cellular immunity, play a critical role in immune dysregulation. This review systematically elaborates on the quantitative changes, functional status, and molecular regulatory mechanisms of CD8+ T cells in sepsis, including abnormalities in metabolic reprogramming, cell death pathways, transcriptional regulation, and intercellular communication. Additionally, it explores potential therapeutic strategies targeting CD8+ T cells, such as immune checkpoint modulation, cell death intervention, and metabolic regulation, and offers an outlook on future research directions, aiming to provide novel insights for immunotherapy in sepsis.