Skip to main content

Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes: Target Cell Killing: Molecular mechanisms

  • Chapter
Killer Lymphocytes
  • 468 Accesses

The discovery by Govaerts of lymphocytes able to kill graft cells in vitro immediately triggered speculation about the molecular mechanism(s) underlying destruction of the targeted cells. Experimental approaches to this question fell into two broad camps: some looked for a fixed, physical property of the killer cell itself to explain cytotoxicity; others searched for the release of one or more soluble cytotoxic factors. Those following the first path initially adapted the tried and true biochemistry approach of breaking killer cells down into their component parts and testing each separately. The earliest of these studies analyzed various crude fractions of disrupted killer cell populations, but the results were generally negative. It appeared that viable effector cells were required to cause lysis, since heated, freeze-thawed or sonicated cells uniformly failed to exhibit lytic activity (Rosenau and Moon, 1961; Wilson, 1963; Ginsburg et al., 1969).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2007 Springer

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

(2007). Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes: Target Cell Killing: Molecular mechanisms. In: Killer Lymphocytes. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-3270-7_5

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics