killer T cell
Immune system assassin
A killer T cell is a type of white blood cell that destroys infected or cancerous cells in the body.
Unlike antibodies that neutralize threats in the bloodstream, killer T cells attack directly—recognizing compromised cells and triggering their death.
Also called cytotoxic T cells.
The patient's killer T cells were targeting the tumor.
Disease-causing microorganism
- virusMicroscopic infectious agent
- antigenImmune response inducer
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- HIVAIDS-causing retrovirus
hepatitis · influenza · herpes · retrovirus · antiviral · vaccination · lysis · cytotoxicity
Toxic to cells
- lymphocyteImmune system white cell
- adaptiveAble to change accordingly
- thymusLymphoid organ maturing T-cells
- effectorOutput mechanism in systems
clonal expansion · cytolysis · apoptosis · cytokines · interleukin-2 · interferon · immune response · activation
Abnormal tissue mass
- melanomaAggressive pigment-cell cancer
- lymphomaCancer from immune cells
- leukemiaMalignancy of blood-forming tissues
- carcinomaEpithelial malignant tumor
oncology · immunotherapy · malignant · neoplasm · remission
Body attacks itself
- multiple sclerosisAutoimmune demyelinating neurological disease
- type 1 diabetesAutoimmune insulin deficiency disease
- rheumatoid arthritisAutoimmune joint disease
- self-toleranceAccepting your own imperfections
Denial of acceptance
- graft-versus-hostDonor immunity attacks recipient
- immunosuppressionReduced bodily defense activation
- donorOne who contributes freely
- recipientOne who receives something
pathogen
Disease-causing microorganism
- virusMicroscopic infectious agent
- antigenImmune response inducer
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
HIV · hepatitis · influenza · herpes · retrovirus · antiviral · vaccination · lysis · cytotoxicity · replication
cytotoxic
Toxic to cells
- lymphocyteImmune system white cell
- adaptiveAble to change accordingly
- thymusLymphoid organ maturing T-cells
effector · clonal expansion · cytolysis · apoptosis · cytokines · interleukin-2 · interferon · immune response · activation
tumor
Abnormal tissue mass
- melanomaAggressive pigment-cell cancer
- lymphomaCancer from immune cells
- leukemiaMalignancy of blood-forming tissues
carcinoma · oncology · immunotherapy · malignant · neoplasm · remission
autoimmune
Body attacks itself
- multiple sclerosisAutoimmune demyelinating neurological disease
- type 1 diabetesAutoimmune insulin deficiency disease
- rheumatoid arthritisAutoimmune joint disease
rejection
Denial of acceptance
- graft-versus-hostDonor immunity attacks recipient
- immunosuppressionReduced bodily defense activation
- donorOne who contributes freely
recipient · tolerance · organ transplant · bone marrow · tissue typing