Introduction of Cytokines

What are Cytokines

Cytokines, a large group of soluble extracellular proteins or glycoproteins, are key intercellular regulators and mobilizers. Cells of the immune system communicate with one another by releasing and responding to chemical messengers called cytokines. These proteins are secreted by immune cells and act on other cells to coordinate appropriate immune responses. They are now seen to be crucial to innate and adaptive inflammatory responses, cell growth and differentiation, cell death, angiogenesis and developmental as well as repair processes.

CYTOKINES CAN ACT AS:

Mediators of the innate immunity (inflammation, chemotaxis, macrophage activation, NK cells) and adaptive immunity (humoral and cellular).

Regulators of lymphocyte activation, proliferation and differentiation.

Stimulators of the growth of hematopoietic stem cells.