Natural Killer (NK) Cells (NK Cells)

Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes of the innate immune system that play a crucial role in tumor surveillance and viral defense. They recognize and kill target cells via a balance of activating and inhibitory receptor signals. Allogeneic NK cells, derived from a donor, can be used in cancer immunotherapy to overcome tumor evasion mechanisms and enhance anti-tumor activity. These cells mediate cytotoxicity through direct cell killing (perforin/granzyme release) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). They also secrete cytokines like IFN-γ to modulate the immune response.

Other names

NK cellsCD56+ lymphocytesLarge granular lymphocytes (LGL)

NK cells recognize and kill target cells by releasing cytotoxic granules containing perforin and granzymes, inducing apoptosis. They are activated by a balance of activating and inhibitory receptor signals. Allogeneic NK cells exploit differences in KIR and HLA to enhance tumor cell recognition.