Immunised T-lymphocytes which can directly destroy appropriate target cells. These cytotoxic lymphocytes may be generated in vitro in mixed lymphocyte cultures (mlc), in vivo during a graft-versus-host (gvh) reaction, or after immunization with an allograft, tumour cell or virally transformed or chemically modified target cell. The lytic phenomenon is sometimes referred to as cell-mediated lympholysis (cml). These cells are distinct from natural killer cells (killer cells, natural) and from killer cells mediating antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity.
(12 Dec 1998)