Granzyme B is a member of the granule serine protease family stored specifically in NK cells or cytotoxic T cells. Cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells share the ability to recognize, bind, and lyse specific target cells. They are thoµght to protect their host by lysing cells bearing on their surface nonself antigens, usually peptides or proteins resulting from infection by intracellular pathogens. Granzyme B is crucial for the rapid induction of target cell apoptosis by CTLs in the cell-mediated immune response. Granzyme B is useful as a marker in the identification of NK/T-cell lymphomas. High percentages of cytotoxic T-cells have been shown to be an unfavorable prognostic indicator in Hodgkins Disease.
