Final answer:
Stimulation of NK cells with IFN-α and IFN-β leads to enhanced cytotoxicity, strengthening their ability to eliminate infected or tumorous cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stimulation of NK cells with IFN-α (Interferon-alpha) and IFN-β leads to enhanced cytotoxicity. These interferons help natural killer cells by upregulating the expression of various proteins involved in the immune response. Upon stimulation, NK cells increase their ability to target and eliminate infected or tumorous cells. This is done through the secretion of granules that contain perforin and granzymes, which induce apoptosis in their targets. Interferons also play a role in activating other immune cells, such as cytotoxic T cells, which work alongside NK cells to combat virally infected cells and cancer cells.