natural killer cell

noun Immunology.

a small killer cell that destroys virus-infected cells or tumor cells without activation by an immune system cell or antibody.

Compare killer T cell.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

natural killer cell in Medicine

natural killer cell

n.

A killer cell that is activated by double-stranded RNA and fights off viral infections and tumors.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.