What are cytokines?

The term "cytokine" is derived from a combination of two Greek words - "Cyto" meaning cell and "Kinos" meaning movement. Cytokines are cell signalling molecules that aid cell to in immune responses and stimulate the movement of cells towards sites of inflammation, infection and trauma.

Cytokines exist in peptide, protein and glycoprotein (proteins with a sugar attached) forms. The cytokines are a large family of molecules that are classified in various different ways due to an absence of a unified classification system.

Examples of cytokines include the agents interleukin and the interferon, which is involved in regulating the immune system's response to inflammation and infection.

According to the National Institute of Allergy and infection state that “Cytokines are Cells of the immune system communicate with one another by releasing and responding to chemical messengers called cytokines. These are secreted by immune cells and act on other cells to coordinate appropriate immune responses. Cytokines include a diverse assortment of interleukin, interferon, and growth factors.

Some cytokines are chemical switches that turn certain immune cell types on and off. One cytokine, interleukin 2 (IL-2), triggers the immune system to produce T cells. IL-2’s immunity-boosting properties have traditionally made it a promising treatment for several illnesses.

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