MeSH Browser

MeSH Heading: Killer Cells, Natural
Tree Number(s): A11.118.637.555.567.537; A15.145.229.637.555.567.537; A15.382.490.555.567.537
Unique ID: D007694
RDF Unique Identifier: http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D007694
Annotation: do not confuse with NATURAL KILLER T-CELLS; if subpopulations are discussed, coordinate IM with LYMPHOCYTE SUBSETS (IM)
Scope Note: Bone marrow-derived lymphocytes that possess cytotoxic properties, classically directed against transformed and virus-infected cells. Unlike T CELLS; and B CELLS; NK CELLS are not antigen specific. The cytotoxicity of natural killer cells is determined by the collective signaling of an array of inhibitory and stimulatory CELL SURFACE RECEPTORS. A subset of T-LYMPHOCYTES referred to as NATURAL KILLER T CELLS shares some of the properties of this cell type.
Entry Term(s): NK Cells; Natural Killer Cells
Previous Indexing: Cytotoxicity, Immunologic (1978-1982); Immunity, Cellular (1976-1982); Killer Cells (1978-1982)
See Also: Receptors, Natural Killer Cell
Public MeSH Note: 1983
History Note: 1983
Date Established: 1983/01/01
Date of Entry: 1982/04/29
Revision Date: 2013/07/09

Allowable Qualifiers: chemistry (CH)

classification (CL)

cytology (CY)

drug effects (DE)

enzymology (EN)

immunology (IM)

metabolism (ME)

microbiology (MI)

parasitology (PS)

pathology (PA)

physiology (PH)

radiation effects (RE)

transplantation (TR)

ultrastructure (UL)

virology (VI)

Concept UI: M0012035
Scope Note: Bone marrow-derived lymphocytes that possess cytotoxic properties, classically directed against transformed and virus-infected cells. Unlike T CELLS; and B CELLS; NK CELLS are not antigen specific. The cytotoxicity of natural killer cells is determined by the collective signaling of an array of inhibitory and stimulatory CELL SURFACE RECEPTORS. A subset of T-LYMPHOCYTES referred to as NATURAL KILLER T CELLS shares some of the properties of this cell type.
Terms: Killer Cells, Natural Preferred Term
Term UI T023098
Date01/01/1999
LexicalTag NON
ThesaurusID NLM (1983); Natural Killer Cells
Term UI T023097
Date04/29/1982
LexicalTag NON
ThesaurusID UNK (19XX); NK Cells
Term UI T023099
Date04/29/1982
LexicalTag NON
ThesaurusID UNK (19XX)

Killer Cells, Natural MeSH Descriptor Data 2025