natural killer cell en · NOUN
Etymology
The description "natural killer" refers to the fact that they do not require activation to kill cells missing MHC class I "self" markers.
Meanings
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Any cell that expresses cell surface receptors that deliver signals to either activate or inhibit a response as part of the innate immune system.
1984, Meir Kende, Joseph Gainer, Michael A. Chirigos (editors), Chemical Regulation of Immunity in Veterinary Medicine: Proceedings of a Symposium, A. R. Liss, page 138, Natural killer cell activity is currently an area of active interest in cellular immunology (Herberman 1981).
The effects of lead exposure of varying duration on natural killer cell and T-lymphocyte function were investigated in rats.
1999, Toxicological Profile for Lead, United States Department of Health and Human Services, page 173:While such information doesn't assist us in deciding whether natural killer cells derive from a macrophage or T cell lineage, it does tell us that the mouse natural killer cell system is a thymus dependent system.
1982, Gustavo Cudkowicz, “Regulation of Natural Cytotoxic Activity”, in Sigurd J. Normann, Ernst Sorkin, editors, Macrophages and Natural Killer Cells, Plenum Press, page 767:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| natural killer cells | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Relateds
Synonyms
large granular lymphocyte · NK cell · NK
Translations (6)
kmr kujerexaneya sirûştî (cell that expresses cell surface receptors that deliver signals to either activate or inhibit a response) · hu természetes ölősejt (cell that expresses cell surface receptors that deliver signals to either activate or inhibit a response) · tr doğal katil hücre (cell that expresses cell surface receptors that deliver signals to either activate or inhibit a response) · tr doğal öldürücü hücre (cell that expresses cell surface receptors that deliver signals to either activate or inhibit a response) · ja ナチュラルキラー細胞 (cell that expresses cell surface receptors that deliver signals to either activate or inhibit a response) · id sel pembunuh alami (cell that expresses cell surface receptors that deliver signals to either activate or inhibit a response)