effector cell

noun

plural effector cells

: a lymphocyte (such as a T cell) that has been induced to differentiate into a form (such as a cytotoxic T cell) capable of mounting a specific immune response

Natural killer cells are effector cells with spontaneous cytotoxicity for a variety of target cells including tumor cells.

—Arthur Weiss et al.

… effector cells that kill invading pathogens or stimulate B cells to make antibody against foreign antigens …

—Charles R. Mackay et al.

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

effector cell

noun

: a lymphocyte (as a T cell) that has been induced to differentiate into a form (as a cytotoxic T cell) capable of mounting a specific immune response

called also effector lymphocyte