Killer Cell (Noun)
Meaning
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.
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- Killer T cells recognize antigens presented on the surface of virus-infected cells through their CD8 receptors, marking them for destruction.
- CD8 T cells function as killer cells to destroy virus-infected cells that display viral antigens on their surface.
- Cytotoxic T cells, also known as killer cells, recognize infected cells through the CD8 receptor and release chemicals to kill the infected cells.
- Natural killer cells, on the other hand, don't need the CD8 receptor to recognize antigens on infected cells and destroy them.
- When the killer cell comes into contact with the infected cell displaying the viral antigen on its surface, it forms an immunological synapse to destroy the infected cell.