![]() ![]() ![]() NK cells can also be classified as “serial killers”, in that they exert their effector function against subsequent targets with no refractory period. Due to this, unlike T cells, NK cells require little priming to respond to an appropriate target immediately upon detection. In addition to lytic enzymes, NK cells also contain preformed stores of inflammatory cytokines (e.g., tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), etc.), which are secreted quickly upon stimulation without prior priming to induce a potent inflammatory response. These large granules, or specialized lysosomes, are pre-formed in resting, unstimulated NK cells. ![]() ![]() The two primary molecules involved in this process are perforin and granzyme-B. These innate lymphocytes are large and granular in their morphology, with the large granules present in their cytoplasm containing the cellular machinery necessary to perforate and induce apoptosis of susceptible targets. Natural killer (NK) cells were originally described in the 1970’s by their ability to recognize and destroy tumor-transformed cells without any prior sensitization to tumor antigens. ![]()
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