Final answer:
IL-12 stimulates NK cells to enhance their cytotoxicity, helping them to more effectively recognize and destroy infected or abnormal cells. This is part of the body's adaptive immune response and is pivotal in controlling tumor growth and combating viral infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stimulation of NK cells with IL-12 leads to enhanced cytotoxicity. This is because IL-12 is a cytokine that plays a crucial role in the immune responses by activating natural killer (NK) cells. When activated, these cells contribute to controlling tumor growth and viral infections by directly killing infected or abnormal cells. The activation of NK cells by IL-12 enhances their cytotoxic function, meaning they become more effective at recognizing and destroying anomalous cells. This is facilitated by the release of cytotoxic molecules such as perforins and granzymes, and by the engagement of death receptors on target cells, leading to the induction of apoptosis in the target cells. NK cells also work in concert with cytotoxic T cells to combat virally infected cells, and they can secrete cytokines that aid in the maturation of B cells into antibody-producing plasma cells.