killer cell inhibitory receptor


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killer cell inhibitory receptor

Abbreviation: KIR
A receptor on the surface of natural killer (NK) cells that bind with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I markers and inhibit the ability of NK cells to destroy target cells. Different groups of KIRs may create subsets of NK cells that bind to and destroy different targets.
See: natural killer cell
See also: receptor
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