noun
- Small signaling proteins produced by cells that regulate immune response, inflammation, and cell growth; plural of cytokine.
Usage: Used in biology and medicine; Typically plural form; singular is 'cytokine'
Examples
- Cytokines are released by immune cells to communicate with other cells during an infection.
- The body produces cytokines to trigger inflammation and fight off pathogens.
- Researchers study cytokines to understand how the immune system responds to disease.
- Certain cytokines promote cell division and tissue repair.
- Interferon and interleukin are examples of important cytokines in the immune response.