A protein released by body cells in response to the presence of disease-causing organisms such as viruses.
Cytokines (which include interferons) bind to other cells, activating the immune response (see immune system).
Also lymphokine, a broad term for a variety of proteins and neuropeptides that lymphocytes and macrophages use to communicate between themselves, often from long distances. They stimulate organization and antibody responses, seem to induce the bone marrow to proliferate the type of white blood cells needed for immediate resistance, and generate sophistication and fine tuning for an overall strategy of resistance. A lymphocyte FAX.
A family of PROTEIN molecules that carry signals locally between cells. Cytokines are released by cells when activated by antigens (see ANTIGEN), behaving as enhancing mediators for immune response. These proteins include INTERLEUKINS (produced by LEUCOCYTES), lymphokines (produced by lymphocytes – see LYMPHOCYTE), INTERFERON, and tumour necrosis factor, one of whose many functions is killing tumour cells.... cytokines
(cytokine modulator) any one of a group of agents that inhibit the activity of cytokines, especially *tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-?). They include *infliximab, *etanercept, and *adalimumab, known as anti-TNF drugs, which are used as *disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and to treat inflammatory bowel disease.... cytokine inhibitor
n. division of the cytoplasm of a cell, which occurs at the end of cell division, after division of the nucleus, to form two daughter cells. Compare karyokinesis.... cytokinesis
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