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 |


Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, DMCA Policy and Compliant

Copyright © 2018-2023 BrainKart.com; All Rights Reserved. Developed by Therithal info, Chennai.