Bone marrow-derived lymphocytes that possess cytotoxic properties, classically directed against transformed and virus-infected cells. Unlike T CELLS; and B CELLS; NK CELLS are not antigen specific. The cytotoxicity of natural killer cells is determined by the collective signaling of an array of inhibitory and stimulatory CELL SURFACE RECEPTORS. A subset of T-LYMPHOCYTES referred to as NATURAL KILLER T CELLS shares some of the properties of this cell type.
    

concept

Killer cells

Catalogue

Natural cell-mediated immunity against tumors / edited by Ronald B. Herberman.

Leukolysins and cancer / edited by Janet H. Ransom and John R. Ortaldo.

Macrophages and natural killer cells : regulation and function / edited by Sigurd J. Normann and Ernst Sorkin.

NK cells and other natural effector cells / edited by Ronald B. Herberman.

Mediation of cellular immunity in cancer by immune modifiers / editors, Michael A. Chirigos [and others].