LAK CELLS Meaning and
Definition
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LAK cells, or Lymphokine-activated killer cells, are a type of immune cells that have been artificially activated in the laboratory to possess enhanced cytotoxic activity against target cells. These cells are primarily derived from natural killer (NK) cells, a subset of white blood cells known for their ability to recognize and destroy infected or cancerous cells without prior immunization or antigen presentation.
LAK cells are obtained from the blood or bone marrow of an individual and then cultured in the presence of certain cytokines, particularly interleukin-2 (IL-2), which stimulates their growth and activation. This process enables LAK cells to acquire additional receptors, cytotoxic molecules, and effector functions, enhancing their ability to recognize and eliminate target cells more effectively than their non-activated counterparts.
LAK cells are of significant interest in immunotherapy and cancer research due to their potential to specifically target and destroy cancer cells. They can recognize the altered surface antigens expressed by tumor cells and initiate an immune response against them. This cytotoxic effect is mainly mediated through the release of toxic granules containing perforin and granzymes, which induce cell apoptosis or activate caspase-mediated cell death pathways.
Moreover, LAK cells exhibit a certain degree of non-specificity, allowing them to destruct foreign cells, even in the absence of specific antigens, thus representing a promising approach in the treatment of various types of cancers and infectious diseases. Their potential therapeutic applications, along with ongoing research, suggest an increasingly vital role for LAK cells in the field of immunology and cancer immunotherapy.
Common Misspellings for LAK CELLS
- LAK Cedls
- LAK Cehls
- LAK Cenls
- LAK Cemls
- LAK Celds
- LAK Celhs
- LAK Celns
- LAK Celms
- LAK Cell3
- LAK Cellc
- LAK Cellq
- LAK Cellr
- laksells
- l ak cells
- la k cells
- lak c ells
- lak ce lls
- lak cel ls
- lak cell s
Etymology of LAK CELLS
The term "LAK cells" stands for "lymphokine-activated killer cells". Therefore, the etymology of the term can be broken down as follows:
1. Lymphokine: The term "lymphokine" was coined from the combination of "lympho-" (meaning lymph) and "-kine" (from Greek "kinesis", meaning movement). It collectively refers to a class of small proteins or signaling molecules secreted by activated lymphocytes (white blood cells) that regulate the immune response.
2. Activated: The term "activated" refers to the process of stimulating or triggering a cell or molecule to become more functional or responsive. In the context of LAK cells, they are lymphocytes that have been stimulated or "activated" by specific lymphokines, particularly interleukin-2 (IL-2).
Similar spelling words for LAK CELLS
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