Chapter: Essential Clinical Immunology: Basic Components of the Immune System
Cytokines
This group of soluble molecules plays an extremely important role in clinical immunology.
CYTOKINES
This group of soluble molecules plays an extremely
important role in clinical immunology. They are secreted by macrophages and
may act as stimulatory or inhibi-tory signals between cells. Cytokines that
initiate chemotaxis of leucocytes are called chemokines.
Among the group of cytokines, there are a few of
particular interest because of their stimulatory activity. Interleu-kins 1
(IL-1) and 2 (IL-2) are of particu-lar importance secondary to their role in
amplifying the immune response. IL-1 acts on a wide range of cells including T
and B cells. In contrast, IL-2 primarily acts on
lymphocytes, although it has similar trophic effects on IL-receptor B cells and
natural killer (NK) cells. (See Table 1.1 and functions.)
Study Material, Lecturing Notes, Assignment, Reference, Wiki description explanation, brief detail
Essential Clinical Immunology: Basic Components of the Immune System : Cytokines |
Related Topics
Essential Clinical Immunology: Basic Components of the Immune System