killer T cell

American  

noun

1. a killer cell that destroys target cells only when specifically activated by helper T cells.

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killer T cell Scientific  

/ kĭl′ər /

1. A large differentiated T cell that functions in cell-mediated immunity by attacking and lysing target cells that have specific surface antigens.

2. Also called cytotoxic T cell killer cell

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Example Sentences

Associate Professor Luciani said the study provides valuable insights into the complexity of killer T cell responses as we age.

From Science Daily

Aside from promoting blood vessel formation, this factor, secreted by cancer cells, also hampers killer T cell entry into tumors.

From Science Daily

According to Kaech, the researchers hope to expand their understanding of the exhausted killer T cell environment to learn more about why stress makes us sicker.

From Science Daily

One of a killer T cell’s most important weapons is perforin, a protein that punctures the outer membrane of the target cell.

From Science Magazine

Interleukin-1 is important for developing the killer T cell response against the virus, but it also affects the part of the brain in the hypothalamus that regulates body temperature, resulting in fever and headaches.

From Washington Post