cytokine
Definition
- Noun:
- A protein molecule secreted by immune system cells: A cytokine is any of various small proteins that are released by certain cells of the immune system. These molecules act as chemical messengers to regulate and coordinate the body's immune response, inflammation, and hematopoiesis (blood cell production).
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Interleukin is a type of cytokine that helps regulate immune responses.
- The release of pro-inflammatory cytokines can lead to fever and swelling.
- Researchers are studying how specific cytokines affect the progression of the disease.
Advanced Usage
- "Cytokine storm": A severe immune reaction where the body releases very large, rapid, and often damaging amounts of cytokines into the blood.
- In some severe infections, a cytokine storm can cause critical organ damage.
Variants and Related Words
- Cytokine is the base noun form. Related adjectives include:
- Cytokinic (adj): Pertaining to or involving cytokines.
- The observed effects were due to a cytokinic reaction.
- Note: The word is often used in compound terms specifying types of cytokines, such as chemokine, interleukin, interferon, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). These are all specific subclasses of cytokines.
Synonyms
- Immune messenger
- Immunomodulator (specifically for cytokines that modify the immune response)
- Lymphokine (a cytokine produced by lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell)
Related Phrases
- Cytokine signaling: The process by which a cytokine binds to a receptor on a cell surface to trigger a response inside the cell.
- The drug works by blocking cytokine signaling pathways.
- Cytokine profile: The pattern or array of cytokines present in a biological sample.
- The patient's cytokine profile indicated a strong Th1 immune response.
Notes on Meaning
- Cytokines are a broad category of signaling molecules. Their primary function is cell signaling within the immune system. They can have autocrine (acting on the same cell), paracrine (acting on nearby cells), or endocrine (acting on distant cells) effects.
- While all cytokines are proteins, not all immune-signaling proteins are classified as cytokines (e.g., antibodies are not cytokines).
Noun
-
any of various protein molecules secreted by cells of the immune system that serve to regulate the immune system
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