Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells are armed to kill virus-infected or transformed cells through the polarized secretion of cytotoxic granules that contain perforin and ...

They exert their cytotoxic function through the secretion of granules containing proteolytic molecules, such as perforin and granzymes 1,2. After antigen recognition on a target, effector cells ...

NK cells are cytotoxic; small granules in their cytoplasm contain special proteins such as perforin and proteases known as granzymes. Upon release in close proximity to a cell slated for killing ...

Their intracellular granules contain packets of hydrolytic enzymes (lysozymes), making the cells cytotoxic to foreign organisms, particularly bacteria (Figure 7). Lysozomes are encased in portions ...

However, the classical lytic mode of NK activity, releasing cytotoxic granules that contain membrane-lysing peptides, would damage the host. Crespo and colleagues have recently described a new ...

This contact interface allows NK cells to focus and release cytotoxic granules toward the target cells leading to their killing. It is well known that rearrangement of the cytoskeleton inside NK ...

This contact interface allows NK cells to focus and release cytotoxic granules toward the target cells leading to their killing. It is well known that rearrangement of the cytoskeleton inside NK ...

×400); Panel B shows tumor cells stained for CD2 (×1000); and Panel C shows staining for intracellular T-cell antigen for identification of cytotoxic granules in the tumor cells (×1000).