Figure 3.

Immunological synapse and NK cell mediated cell death. Upon synapsing with target cells, NK cells release proteolytic enzymes, granzyme A and B, as well as perforins that induce necrotic death. The ligation of Fas Ligand (FasL) to Fas/CD95 receptor together with the binding of TNF-α to death receptors induce apoptosis of the tumor cell. NK cell FcγRIII (CD16) recognizes antibody Fc constant domains resulting in cytokine secretion and NK cell mediated antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). The most abundantly secreted cytokines are TNF-α and IFN-γ.