Cytokines are a large, umbrella group of small signalling proteins released by immune and non‑immune cells. They include:
They regulate inflammation, immunity, cell growth, and communication.
Cytokines can be produced by many cell types: macrophages, T cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, etc.
Interleukins
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"Hot T-Bone stEAK"
IL-1: fever (hot) = pyrogen
IL-2: T cell activator
IL-3: Bone marrow stimulant
IL-4: IgE class switching; promotes Th0 to Th2