cytolytic

Cytolytic refers to a process that results in the lysis or bursting of a cell. This can occur through various mechanisms and is often associated with immune responses or certain therapeutic interventions. In the context of immunology, cytolytic activity is a hallmark of cytotoxic lymphocytes, such as cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells. These cells are crucial for eliminating infected or cancerous cells. They achieve this by releasing cytotoxic molecules, like perforin and granzymes, which directly damage the target cell membrane and induce apoptosis (programmed cell death).

The term cytolytic can also describe the effect of certain toxins or drugs. For example, some venoms or bacterial toxins are cytolytic, meaning they can break down cell membranes, leading to cell death. Additionally, certain cancer therapies, like some forms of chemotherapy or immunotherapy, aim to induce a cytolytic response in tumor cells, thereby destroying them. Understanding the cytolytic pathway is important in fields ranging from infectious disease research to cancer treatment and vaccine development. The controlled induction of cytolysis is often a desired outcome in these areas.