NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Among innate immune cells, natural killer (NK) cells are endowed with the unique ability to recognize and kill cells infected with a variety of pathogens, irrespective of prior sensitization to these microbes. NK cells have a number of other functions, including cytokine production and immunoregulatory activities.

Detailed explanation-2: -Natural killer cells play an important role in the immune response against viruses and intracellular bacteria due to their ability to kill infected cells and to eliminate intracellular pathogen reservoirs (50).

Detailed explanation-3: -Natural killer (NK) cells play an essential role in killing intracellular pathogens through either cytotoxic attack of infected target cells or activation of macrophages via gamma interferon (IFN-) production.

Detailed explanation-4: -A type of immune cell that has granules (small particles) with enzymes that can kill tumor cells or cells infected with a virus. A natural killer cell is a type of white blood cell. Also called NK cell and NK-LGL.

Detailed explanation-5: -Natural killer (NK) cells target and kill aberrant cells, such as virally infected and tumorigenic cells. Killing is mediated by cytotoxic molecules which are stored within secretory lysosomes, a specialized exocytic organelle found in NK cells.