Lexic.us

Definition of Cytokine

1. Noun. Any of various protein molecules secreted by cells of the immune system that serve to regulate the immune system.

Definition of Cytokine

1. Noun. (context: protein immunology) Any of various small regulatory proteins that regulate the cells of the immune system. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Cytokine

1. a kind of substance secreted by cells of the immune system [n -S]

Medical Definition of Cytokine

1. Small proteins or biological factors (in the range of 5-20 kD) that are released by cells and have specific effects on cell-cell interaction, communication and behaviour of other cells. Not really different from hormones, but the term tends to be used as a convenient generic shorthand for interleukins, lymphokines and several related signalling molecules such as TNF and interferons. Generally growth factors would not be classified as cytokines, though TGF is an exception. Rather an imprecise term. Chemokines are a subset of cytokines. (29 Sep 1997)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Cytokine

Literary usage of Cytokine

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Animal Health at the Crossroads: Preventing, Detecting, And Diagnosing by National Research Council (U. S.) (2005)
"An example is the adoption of assays to monitor for mycobacteria-specific antigen-induced secretion of the cytokine interferon-gamma in blood mononuclear ..."

2. Problems of Drug Dependence: Proceedings of the 58th Annual Scientific Meeting by Louie S. Harrie (1999)
"Little is known, however, regarding the effects of cocaine on cytokine production by human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PEL) and endothelial cells. ..."

3. Alcohols Effect on Organ Function edited by Dianne M. Welsh (1997)
"These increased cytokine levels may contribute to most of the signs and symptoms observed in patients with alcoholic hepatitis (eg, generally increased ..."

4. Nutrient Composition of Rations for Short-term, High-intensity Combat Operations by Fnb, Institute of Medicine (U. S.), High-stress Situations, Committee on Military Nutrition Research, National Academy of Sciences (2005)
"Influence of vitamin C supplementation on cytokine changes following an ... Effect of vitamin supplementation on cytokine response and on muscle damage ..."

5. Children's Environmental Health Research: Indoor Mold and Children's Health edited by Allen Dearry, Gwen Collman (2000)
"Under this paradigm, allergen presentation results in differentiation of CD4 T cells to aT helper cell (Th2) cytokine-2 producing ..."

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