killer cell

American  

noun

Immunology.

1. any of several types of lymphocyte or leukocyte capable of destroying cells that have acquired foreign characteristics, as a tumor cell or virus-infected cell.

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killer cell British  

noun

1. a type of white blood cell that is able to kill cells, such as cancer cells and cells infected with viruses

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Example Sentences

Partners who showed no sign of infection were more likely to have a robust natural killer cell response, which could result in a stronger defense against infection.

From New York Times

Characterization of a cell line, NKL, derived from an aggressive human natural killer cell leukemia.

From Nature

In vivo developmental stages in murine natural killer cell maturation.

From Nature

In vitro T cell proliferative responses, natural killer cell cytotoxic activity, immune synapsis formation, and suppressive function of T regulatory cells were normalized.

From Science Magazine

These mutations classically lead to complete absence of functional T and natural killer cell lineages as well as to intrinsically compromised B cell function.

From Science Magazine