lymphokine

lymphokine /lym·pho·kine/ (lim´fo-kīn) a general term for soluble protein mediators postulated to be released by sensitized lymphocytes on contact with antigen, and believed to play a role in macrophage activation, lymphocyte transformation, and cell-mediated immunity.

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lym·pho·kine (lmf-kn)

n.

Any of various soluble substances, released by sensitized lymphocytes on contact with specific antigens, that act by stimulating activity of monocytes and macrophages.

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lymphokine

[lim′fōkīn]

Etymology: L, lympha + Gk, kinesis, motion

one of the chemical factors produced and released by T lymphocytes that attract macrophages to the site of infection or inflammation and prepare them for attack. Kinds of lymphokines include chemotactic factor, cytokine, lymphotoxin, migration inhibiting factor, and mitogenic factor.

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lymphokine [lim´fo-kīn]

any of various soluble protein mediators released by sensitized lymphocytes on contact with antigen, and believed to play a role in macrophage activation, lymphocyte transformation, and cell-mediated immunity. It regulates immune responses through differentiation, amplification, and inhibition of cell functions. Lymphokines may also have a cytotoxic effector function. Used as biologic response modifiers in the treatment of cancer.

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lymphokine

soluble protein mediators released by lymphocytes undergoing blastogenesis following contact with antigen. Lymphokines influence the behavior of the cells that produce them (autocrine) and of other cells in the vicinity (paracrine) and cells at a distance (endocrine), including macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes and other cells; a subset of cytokines many of which are also defined as interleukins.

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lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells

cytotoxic T lymphocytes produced by incubation with interleukin 2. See also K cells.