What are Cytokines?
As proteins that are produced by white blood cells, cytokines perform several important functions that allow our bodies to operate at optimum levels. Here is some information about how cytokines are formed in the system, as well as some examples of how cytokines benefit the daily function of the body. Cytokines are often created in response to the presence of some sort of bacterial infection. White blood cells release protein that then works as neurotransmitters to carry messages throughout the nervous system. There are actually several different types of cytokines, among them lumphokines, interleukins and interferons. Because cytokines are essentially chemical messengers, they cane help to regulate the nature and intensity of the response of the body’s immune system. Taking cues from the signals conveyed by the cytokines, the immune system would be able to stimulate production of necessary chemicals to fight infection as well as take other measures to suppress the spread of harmful ba
Cytokines are proteins produced by many different cells of the immune system which act upon other cells. They attach to receptors on the outside of cells causing the target cell to produce a certain reaction, depending on the cell and the cytokine. Often the target cell produces other cytokines in response to the initial cytokine. This complicated relationship is called the cytokine network, and it is one of the most important ways that the immune system (which is distributed throughout the body) communicates and orchestrates appropriate responses to various challenges, including viruses, bacteria, fungi and even tumours. Most cytokines are produced by T-lymphocyte cells and to a lesser degree by monocytes and macrophages. There is growing evidence that initial HIV infection disrupts the normal balance of cytokines by causing the levels of certain cytokines to rise. As the disease progresses to AIDS, the production of these cytokines declines whilst the production of another group of c
Cytokines are small proteins that can either step-up or step-down the immune response. One of the cytokines, interleukin 4 (IL4), is essential for the production of IgE. Interleukin 5 (IL5) and others are important in attracting other cells, particularly eosinophils, which then promote inflammation. This spectrum of cytokines is also released by the TH2 lymphocytes, thus further promoting allergic inflammation. What is the “early phase” of an allergic reaction? We have seen how the first encounter with ragweed pollen sensitizes the body with the help of lymphocytes and results in the IgE coating of the mast cells and basophils. Subsequent exposure results in the immediate release of the chemical mediators that cause the various symptoms of allergy. This process is the “early phase” of the allergic reaction. It can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to an allergen. This is also known as an immediate hypersensitivity reaction, which in this case is to the ragweed pollen allergen
Definition Cytokines are signaling peptides that consist of water-soluble proteins and glycoproteins with a mass of 8 to 30 kDa. Cytokines are released by many different types of cells and are important in innate and adaptive [[immune response]]. They also play an important role in many diseases. Cytokines bind to specific cell-surface receptors producing intracellular signaling cascades that can up- or downregulate genes, transcription factors, and even other cytokines and cytokine receptors. The effect of a given cytokine is dependent upon the abundance of the cytokine, the presence or abundance of complementary cell surface receptors, and downstream signals that are activated by receptor binding. Overstimulation of cytokines can trigger a so-called cytokine storm which is a potentially fatal condition. Nomenclature Cytokine nomenclature can seem disorganized and confusing. They have been called chemokines, interleukins, and lymphokines depending upon their targets and function. Init
