Lexic.us

Definition of Killer cell

1. Noun. T cell with CD8 receptor that recognizes antigens on the surface of a virus-infected cell and binds to the infected cell and kill it.

Medical Definition of Killer cell

1. 1. Mammalian cells which can lyse antibody coated target cells. They have a receptor for the Fc portion of IgG and are probably of the mononuclear phagocyte lineage, though some may be lymphocytes. Not to be confused with cytotoxic T-cells which recognise targets by other means and are clearly a sub set of T lymphocytes. This confusion exists in the early literature. 2. Natural killer cell are CD3 negative large granular lymphocytes, mediating cytolytic reactions that do not require expression of Class I or II major histocompatibility antigens on the target cell. 3. Lymphokine activated killer cells are NK cells activated by interleukin-2 (LAK cells). (13 Nov 1997)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Killer Cell

Literary usage of Killer cell

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Understanding the Immune System by Lydia Woods Schindler (1991)
"killer cell makes contact with target cell, orients its weapons toward the target, and delivers a burst of lethal chemicals. Phagocytes, Granulocytes ..."

2. Assessing the Human Health Risks of Trichloroethylene: Key Scientific Issues by National Research Council (U.S.) (2006)
"(1991) found a depression in natural killer cell activity in the liver, decreased lipopolysaccharide lymphocyte mitogenesis, and decreased spleen weights ..."

3. Drug Abuse and Drug Abuse Research (1991): The Third Triennial Report to edited by MaryLouise Embrey, Christine R. Hartel (1999)
"It is not known whether natural killer cell activity plays any role in the initial ... Natural killer cell activity in active former heroin addicts and also ..."

4. Drug Addiction Research & the Health of Women edited by Cora L. Wetherington (1999)
"However, the absolute number of cells was normal in the former addicts who had been in long-term treatment with methadone and had normal natural killer cell ..."

5. Reviews in Environmental Health (1998): Toxicological Defense Mechanics edited by Gary E. R. Hook, George W. Lucier (2000)
"... Yokoyama K, Okada A. Reduced killer cell activity of lymphocytes from patients with asbestos. Br J Ind Med 42:276-280 (1985). 6. Doll NJ, Diem JE, ..."

Other Resources: