Natural Killer
Also written as NK.
Early defenses are mucociliary transport, macrophages, interferons alpha and beta, natural killer cells.
What our notes say
- Early defenses are mucociliary transport, macrophages, interferons alpha and beta, natural killer cells. (MBChB Year 3 Medical Virology Exam Notes: HSV, CMV, EBV)
- Natural Killer (NK) cells are activated to directly kill virally infected cells. (Cellular Immunology Short Answer Questions)
- Natural killers cells arise directly from the common lymphoid progenitor (Physio Y1 EOY 2021 — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- Natural killer (NK) cells — kill tumour cells lacking MHC I (missing-self recognition), no prior sensitization needed (Medical MCQs: Chemical Pathology & Haematology Exam Review)
- Natural killer (NK) cells — kill tumour cells lacking MHC I expression (immune evasion mechanism) (General Pathology Revision: Cell Injury, Inflammation & Adaptation (MBPA 3500 Pa)
- Interferons activate Natural Killer (NK) cells — NK cells kill virus-infected cells directly (EXAM: Influenza, Viral Receptors & Spikes, Interferons, and Viral Pathogenesis)
Study material on Natural Killer
Practice questions on Natural Killer
Natural Killer (NK) cells are part of the innate immune system and primarily target:
- Extracellular bacteria
- Fungal infections
- Virally infected cells and tumor cells
- Parasitic worms
Answer: C. NK cells are lymphocytes of the innate immune system that recognize and kill virally infected cells and tumor cells, typically by detecting changes in MHC Class I expression on their surface.