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interleukin
(redirected from Interleukins)

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
interleukin /in·ter·leu·kin/ (-loo´kin) a generic term for a group of multifunctional cytokines that are produced by a variety of lymphoid and nonlymphoid cells and whose effects occur at least partly within the lymphopoietic system.
interleukin-2  (IL-2) one produced by T cells in response to antigenic or mitogenic stimulation, acting to regulate the immune response. It stimulates the proliferation of T cells and the synthesis of other T cell–derived cytokines, stimulates the growth and cytolytic function of NK cells to produce lymphokine-activated killer cells, is a growth factor for and stimulates antibody synthesis in B cells, and may promote apoptosis in antigen-activated T cells; it is used pharmaceutically as an antineoplastic.

in·ter·leu·kin (ntr-lkn)
n.
Any of a class of lymphokines that act to stimulate, regulate, or modulate lymphocytes such as T cells.

interleukin
[-lo̅o̅′kin]
one of a large group of proteins produced mainly by T cells and in some cases by mononuclear phagocytes or other cells. Interleukins participate in communication among leukocytes and are important in the inflammatory response. Most interleukins direct other cells to divide and differentiate. Each acts on a particular group of cells that have receptors specific to that interleukin.

interleukin [in´ter-loo″kin]
one of several proteins important for lymphocyte proliferation. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is produced by macrophages and induces the production of interleukin-2 by T cells that have been stimulated by antigen or mitogen. Interleukin-2 (IL-2), produced by T cells, stimulates the proliferation of T cells bearing specific receptors for IL-2; these receptors are expressed in response to antigenic stimulation. IL-2 also seems to induce the production of interferon and is used as an anticancer drug in the treatment of a wide variety of solid malignant tumors. Another interleukin, interleukin-3 (IL-3) is necessary for the differentiation of suppressor T cells.

interleukin (in·tr·lōōˑ·kin),
n any of the family of proteins produced by lymphocytes and macrophages in the presence of antigens; responsible for T-cell proliferation.

interleukin
Immunology Any of a family of cytokines produced by lymphocytes, monocytes, and other cells, which induce growth and differentiation of lymphoid cells and primitive hematopoietic stem cells;. See Biological response modifier.


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This third edition contains new entries on immunopharmacology and comparative immunology, and new information on interleukins and immunity to infectious diseases.
In the study, researchers led by Matteo Fumagalli, sift through 1,052 SNPs in genes that code for immune proteins called interleukins from roughly 1000 people worldwide.
If surrounding T and B white blood cells have been sensitized to this particular allergen, the mast and basophil cells will release histamine and other inflammatory chemical mediators (cytokines, interleukins, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins) into the surrounding tissue, causing several systemic effects, such as vasodilation, mucous secretion, nerve stimulation and smooth muscle contraction.
 
 
 
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