Cytotoxic Lymphocytes

∞ generated and posted on 2015.12.28 ∞

Mediators of apoptotic cellular immunity against abnormal body cells.

Cytotoxic lymphocytes include both cytotoxic T cells (i.e., cytotoxic T lymphocytes) as well as natural killer cells.

Cytotoxic cells kill other cells, ones making up the same body but which are not normal for some reason, either because of virus infection, making up tumors or cancers, or because they have otherwise been recognized by the body's immune system (e.g., certain autoimmune diseases).

Natural killer cells play this role as a component largely of innate immunity whereas cytotoxic T cells play this roles as a component of adaptive immunity.


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