The activated CD8 cells (the cytotoxic T cells) mount their immune response with the help of two proteins: perforins and granzymes.
Perforins are the proteins that stimulate the cytolysis of the infected cell by inserting itself into the plasma membrane of the infected cell to form channels. The channels in the plasma membrane of infected cells allow the surrounding fluid to enter the cell followed by its bursting.
Granzymes are the proteins that enter the infected cells through the channels formed by perforins and stimulate apoptosis.
