cytokine

cytokine /cy·to·kine/ (si´to-kīn″) a generic term for nonantibody proteins released by one cell population on contact with specific antigen, which act as intercellular mediators, as in the generation of an immune response.

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cy·to·kine (st-kn)

n.

Any of several nonantibody proteins, such as lymphokines, that are released by a cell population on contact with a specific antigen and act as intercellular mediators, as in the generation of an immune response.

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Cytokine

A general term for nonantibody proteins released by a specific type of cell as part of the body's immune response.

Mentioned in: Cerebral Palsy, Juvenile Arthritis

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cytokine

[sī′təkīn]

one of a large group of low-molecular-weight proteins secreted by various cell types and involved in cell-to-cell communication, coordinating antibody and T cell immune interactions, and amplifying immune reactivity. Cytokines include colony-stimulating factors, interferons, interleukins, and lymphokines, which are secreted by lymphocytes.

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cytokine (sī´tkīn´),

n a nonantibody protein, such as lymphokine. Cytokines are released by a cell population on contact with a specific antigen. Cytokines act as intercellular mediators in the generation of immune response.

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cytokine

any of many small, secreted proteins such as erythropoietin, G-CSF, interferon, interleukins, that bind to cell surface receptors and transduce signals leading to the differentiation or proliferation of cells. See also monokine and lymphokine.

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cytokine

Biological response modifier Any of a number of small 5–20 kD polypeptide signaling proteins of the immune system, which are produced by immune cells and have specific effects on cell-cell interaction, communication and behavior of other cells. See Biological response modifiers, Colony stimulating factor(s.), Fibroblast growth factor, Interferons, Interleukins, Platelet-derived growth factor, Transforming growth factor β, Tumor necrosis factor.