natural killer cell
Tumor-destroying lymphocyte
Natural killer cells are immune system cells that destroy virus-infected cells and tumor cells without prior exposure to them.
Unlike other lymphocytes, they don't need to recognize a specific antigen first—they're ready to kill on contact, hence "natural." Often abbreviated NK cell.
Natural killer cells are part of the body's first line of defense against cancer.
Immune system white cell
- innate immunityInherited pathogen defense system
- cytotoxicityHarmfulness to living cells
- hematopoiesisBlood cell production process
- leukocyteInfection-fighting blood cell
white blood cell · bone marrow · cytokines · apoptosis · cell lysis
AIDS-causing retrovirus
- influenzaAcute viral respiratory infection
- hepatitisInflammatory liver condition
- cytomegalovirusWidespread herpes-type infection agent
- herpesChronic blister-causing virus
Disease treatment via body's defenses
- metastasisCancer spreading beyond origin
- leukemiaMalignancy of blood-forming tissues
- lymphomaCancer from immune cells
- melanomaAggressive pigment-cell cancer
carcinoma · malignancy · oncology · neoplasm
lymphocyte
Immune system white cell
- innate immunityInherited pathogen defense system
- cytotoxicityHarmfulness to living cells
- hematopoiesisBlood cell production process
leukocyte · white blood cell · bone marrow · cytokines · apoptosis · cell lysis
HIV
AIDS-causing retrovirus
- influenzaAcute viral respiratory infection
- hepatitisInflammatory liver condition
- cytomegalovirusWidespread herpes-type infection agent
immunotherapy
Disease treatment via body's defenses
- metastasisCancer spreading beyond origin
- leukemiaMalignancy of blood-forming tissues
- lymphomaCancer from immune cells
melanoma · carcinoma · malignancy · oncology · neoplasm
- cellscells, blood cell, cell theory, nerve cell, red blood cell
- blood cellsred blood cell, red blood cells, white blood cell, white blood cells, red cells
- immune cellsT cells, lymphocytes, macrophage, macrophages, monocyte
- bloodblood, plasma, platelet, platelets, red blood cell
- immunityimmune, immunity, immune system, immune response, immune cells
- T cellsT cell, CD4, regulatory T cells, thymic selection, negative selection
natural killer cellT cell
Thymus-derived immune lymphocyte
natural killer cellcancer cell
Abnormally dividing body unit
natural, killing, killer, killed, unnatural, supernatural, cellular, killers, naturalness