NK cell
Natural killer cell. A type of white blood cell that contains granules with enzymes that can kill tumor cells or microbial cells. Also called a large granular lymphocyte. | ||||
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NK cell definition was found in categories: Medicine(3) Science & Technology(1) Encyclopedia(1)
NK cell Definition from Medicine Dictionaries & Glossaries
| Aids Glossary |
natural killer cell
a type of lymphocyte that attacks and kills tumor cells and cells infected with microorganisms. Unlike cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, NK cells are nonspecific and attack infected cells without regard to specific antigens or MHC receptor configuration.
a type of lymphocyte that attacks and kills tumor cells and cells infected with microorganisms. Unlike cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, NK cells are nonspecific and attack infected cells without regard to specific antigens or MHC receptor configuration.
| Glossary of HIV/AIDS-Related Terms |
NATURAL KILLER CELLS
A type of lymphocyte<!-- (see) -->. Like cytotoxic T cells, NK cells attack and kill tumor cells and protect against a wide variety of infectious microbes. They are "natural" killers because they do not need additional stimulation or need to recognize a specific antigen in order to attack and kill. Persons with immunodeficiencies such as those caused by HIV infection have a decrease in "natural" killer cell activity. See Antigen; B Lymphocytes; T Cells; Null Cell.
A type of lymphocyte<!-- (see) -->. Like cytotoxic T cells, NK cells attack and kill tumor cells and protect against a wide variety of infectious microbes. They are "natural" killers because they do not need additional stimulation or need to recognize a specific antigen in order to attack and kill. Persons with immunodeficiencies such as those caused by HIV infection have a decrease in "natural" killer cell activity. See Antigen; B Lymphocytes; T Cells; Null Cell.
| HIV Vaccine Glossary |
NK cell
a non-specific lymphocyte. NK cells, like killer T cells, attack and kill cancer cells and cells infected by microorganisms. NK cells are "natural" killers because they do not need to recognize a specific antigen in order to attack and kill.
a non-specific lymphocyte. NK cells, like killer T cells, attack and kill cancer cells and cells infected by microorganisms. NK cells are "natural" killers because they do not need to recognize a specific antigen in order to attack and kill.
NK cell Definition from Science & Technology Dictionaries & Glossaries
| Common Terms in Evolutionary Biology and Genetics |
Natural killer (NK) cell
Bone marrow-derived, mononuclear white blood cells (large granular lymphocytes) that are able to kill invading microorganisms without activation by cells of the immune system. They are, therefore, part of the innate immune system. They are specialized in killing virus-infected cells and cells transformed to develop cancer.
Bone marrow-derived, mononuclear white blood cells (large granular lymphocytes) that are able to kill invading microorganisms without activation by cells of the immune system. They are, therefore, part of the innate immune system. They are specialized in killing virus-infected cells and cells transformed to develop cancer.
NK cell Definition from Encyclopedia Dictionaries & Glossaries
| Wikipedia English - The Free Encyclopedia |
Natural killer cell
Natural killer cells (or NK cells) are a type of cytotoxic lymphocyte which constitute a major component of the innate immune system. NK cells play a major role in the rejection of tumors and cells infected by viruses. The cells kill by releasing small cytoplasmic granules of proteins called perforin and granzyme that cause the target cell to die by apoptosis.
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