Natural Killer Cells

Natural killer (NK) cells are a type of white blood cell that play a key role in the body's ability to fight off infections. They are part of the innate immune system and act as an early line of defense against viruses and other pathogens. NK cells have the ability to recognize and eliminate infected or cancerous cells without help from other immune cells. They do this by releasing certain chemicals that can kill the target cells. NK cells are therefore essential for keeping the immune system functioning properly and helping the body to fight off disease. They have been extensively studied and used in treatments such as cancer immunotherapy and to improve transplant outcomes.