Cytokine: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
cytokine
[ หsaษชtษ(ส)kaษชn ]
biological science
Cytokines are small proteins that are important in cell signaling. They are produced by a variety of cells in the body and can have effects on immune responses, inflammation, and the development of blood cells. Cytokines play a vital role in the immune system and help to determine the effectiveness and duration of immune response.
Synonyms
immune mediator, signal molecule
Examples of usage
- Cytokines are released during an infection.
- Researchers study cytokines to understand immune responses.
- Cytokines can influence the behavior of other cells.
Translations
Translations of the word "cytokine" in other languages:
๐ต๐น citoquina
๐ฎ๐ณ เคธเคพเคเคเฅเคเคพเคเคจ
๐ฉ๐ช Zytokin
๐ฎ๐ฉ sitoskin
๐บ๐ฆ ัะธัะพะบัะฝ
๐ต๐ฑ cytokina
๐ฏ๐ต ใตใคใใซใคใณ
๐ซ๐ท cytokine
๐ช๐ธ citosina
๐น๐ท sitokin
๐ฐ๐ท ์ฌ์ดํ ์นด์ธ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุงูุณูุชูููู
๐จ๐ฟ cytokin
๐ธ๐ฐ cytokรญn
๐จ๐ณ ็ป่ๅ ๅญ
๐ธ๐ฎ citokin
๐ฎ๐ธ sรญtรณkรญn
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัะธัะพะบะธะฝ
๐ฌ๐ช แชแแขแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ sitokin
๐ฒ๐ฝ citoquina
Word origin
The term 'cytokine' originated from the combination of the Greek word 'cyto-', meaning 'cell', and 'kinein', meaning 'to move or set in motion'. The concept of cytokines began to take shape in the 1970s, as scientists started to understand the complex interactions of immune cells. Initially, cytokines were referred to by specific functions or individual names, such as interleukins and interferons. Over time, the collective term 'cytokine' was adopted to refer to this diverse group of proteins, acknowledging their role in communication between cells during processes like immune response, hematopoiesis, and inflammation. The study of cytokines has significantly advanced our understanding of many diseases, including autoimmune disorders, infections, and cancer.