Cytokines - Vocabulary Flashcards

A set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering core cytokine concepts (autocrine/paracrine/endocrine signaling, cytokine families, key cytokines, and regulatory mechanisms).

Antagonism

A cytokine interaction in which one cytokine counteracts the action of another.

Autocrine

Cytokines that act on the cell that secreted them.

Cascade

A sequence where one cytokine induces the production of others, amplifying the response.

Paracrine

Cytokines that act on nearby cells in the surrounding tissue.

Endocrine

Cytokines that travel through the bloodstream to distant target cells.

Chemokines

A subgroup of cytokines that regulate leukocyte chemotaxis and migration.

CSF (Colony-stimulating Factor)

Growth factors that stimulate bone marrow progenitor cells to form colonies (e.g., IL-3, EPO, G-CSF, GM-CSF, M-CSF).

Cytokines

Small proteins that serve as chemical messengers to regulate innate and adaptive immunity.

ELISpot

An assay that detects cytokine secretion by individual cells by capturing cytokines on a plate and visualizing spots.

Endogenous pyrogen

Cytokines (e.g., IL-1β) that induce fever during infection.

Erythropoietin (EPO)

CSF that stimulates red blood cell production; mainly produced by kidneys; used clinically to treat anemia.

G-CSF

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor; promotes neutrophil production and mobilizes stem cells.

GM-CSF

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor; drives differentiation toward granulocytes and macrophages; modulates neutrophil function.

M-CSF

Macrophage CSF; promotes monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation and enhances phagocytosis and cytokine production.

Hypercytokinemia

Massive overproduction of cytokines, also known as a cytokine storm.

Interferons (IFNs)

Cytokines with Type I (IFN-α/β), Type II (IFN-γ), and Type III classes; antiviral effects and roles in immune activation.

Interleukin (IL)

A family of cytokines, numbered IL-1 to IL-40, produced by leukocytes and other cells.

Th1

T helper 1 cells; promote cell-mediated immunity; driven by IL-12; produce IL-2 and IFN-γ.

Th2

T helper 2 cells; promote humoral immunity; driven by IL-4; produce IL-4 and IL-10; support eosinophils and IgE.

Th17

T helper 17 cells; differentiate in response to TGF-β and IL-6 (with IL-23 involvement); produce IL-17 family cytokines.

Treg

Regulatory T cells; CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ cells that maintain tolerance and suppress immune responses.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)

Cytokine that regulates cell growth and immune responses; anti-inflammatory; inhibits IL-12 and IFN-γ.

TNF (TNF-α)

Tumor necrosis factor-α; a major proinflammatory cytokine produced by macrophages and other cells; signals via TNFR1/2.

Redundancy

Situations where different cytokines activate overlapping pathways or genes.

Pleiotropy

A single cytokine exerting multiple, diverse effects on different cell types.

Synergistic

Interaction where combined cytokines produce a greater effect than the sum of their individual effects.