Natural killer cells.

It is proposed that this article will encompass a review of primarily the human natural killer cell. The following parameters of the human natural killer (NK) cell will be reviewed: its ontogeny; surface membrane characteristics including monoclonal antibody reactivity, cell lineage, the natural killer sensitive targets, and the proposed mechanism of action of natural killer cells cytotoxicity against these NK sensitive targets; the status of natural killer cell in relationship to clinical disease; the alteration of natural killer cells both in vitro and in vivo; and finally postulate relevance of the natural killer cell in context of the evolution or pathophysiology of human disease. There will be an attempt through this review to encompass the more recent publications that pertain to the various sections.