Natural killer (NK) cell attacking a cancer cell. Natural killer cells are a type of lymphocyte (white blood cell) and a component of the immune syste

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Natural killer (NK) cell attacking a cancer cell. Natural killer cells are a type of lymphocyte (white blood cell) and a component of the immune system. The NK cell attaches itself to the target cell and proteins called perforin pierce the cell membrane, allowing cytotoxin granules to enter the cell. The cytotoxin granules expel granzymes which promote cell apoptosis (programmed cell death).

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Size: 6060px × 4040px
Photo credit: © CAROL & MIKE WERNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -, antigens, apoptosis, artwork, biological, biology, blood, cancer, cell, cytotoxic, cytotoxin, granzyme, hla, human, illustration, immune, immunity, immunoglobulin-, immunological, immunology, killer, kir, leukocyte, lymphocyte, nk, perforin, receptors, response, synapse, system, tumor, white