Null cell

A null cell is a large agranular lymphocyte that develops inside the bone marrow.[1] Null cells lack the common characteristic surface markers that can be found in mature B-cells and T-cells.[1] They are rapidly stimulated in the presence of pathogens like viruses and attack viral-infected or tumor cells in a non MHC-restricted manner.[1] Null cells make up a small proportion of the lymphocytes that can be found in an organism. The term null cell is no longer commonly used; they are normally referred to as natural killer (NK) cells or killer cells.[1]

References
  1. null cell. (n.d.) Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 8th edition. (2009). Retrieved November 29, 2015 from http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/null+cell
  • Null+cells at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)


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