PATHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Cytotoxic T cells can kill their targets rapidly because they store preformed cytotoxic proteins in forms that are inactive in the environment of the lytic granule.

Detailed explanation-2: -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.

Detailed explanation-3: -Cancer cells and infected cells often lose their MHC I, leaving them vulnerable to NK cell killing. Once the decision is made to kill, the NK cell releases cytotoxic granules containing perforin and granzymes, which leads to lysis of the target cell.

Detailed explanation-4: -Cytotoxic T cells (CTL) are key components of the adaptive immune response and natural killer (NK) cells play analogous role in the innate immune response.

Detailed explanation-5: -What is the difference between cytotoxic T-cells and natural killer cells? Cytotoxic T-cells attack viruses when activated by an antigen. Natural killer cells don’t need activation to attack harmful cells. Cytotoxic T-cells are part of your adaptive immune response.