Effects of extracellular pH and hypoxia on the function and development of antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes

•We studied the effects of low pH or hypoxia on the function and induction of CTLs.•Cytotoxic activities of CTLs were decreased in acidic conditions.•In vitro induction of antigen-specific CTLs was inhibited in the acidic conditions.•Cytotoxic activities of CTLs were unaffected in hypoxic conditions.•Induction of functional CTLs was enhanced under low oxygen concentration.