Lymphokine
Lymphokine
Lymphokine (pronounced: lim-foh-kine) is a type of cytokine that is produced by lymphocytes in response to an antigen, mitogen, or other lymphokine.
Etymology
The term "lymphokine" is derived from the words "lymphocyte" and "cytokine". "Lymphocyte" comes from the Greek words "lympho" meaning clear, watery, and "cyte" meaning cell. "Cytokine" is derived from the Greek words "cyto" meaning cell and "kinos" meaning movement.
Function
Lymphokines have a variety of functions. They are primarily involved in cell signaling and can stimulate the direct killing of certain cells, influence the growth and differentiation of other immune cells, and regulate immune responses.
Types of Lymphokines
There are several types of lymphokines, including Interleukin-2, Interferon-gamma, and Tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Each of these lymphokines has a unique role in the immune response.
Interleukin-2
Interleukin-2 is a lymphokine that is primarily produced by T cells following antigen stimulation. It plays a crucial role in the growth and proliferation of T cells.
Interferon-gamma
Interferon-gamma is a lymphokine that is produced by NK cells and T cells. It has antiviral and immunoregulatory functions.
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha is a lymphokine that is primarily produced by macrophages. It is involved in systemic inflammation and is one of the cytokines that make up the acute phase reaction.
Related Terms
- Cytokine
- Lymphocyte
- Antigen
- Mitogen
- Interleukin-2
- Interferon-gamma
- Tumor necrosis factor-alpha
- NK cells
- Macrophages
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Lymphokine
- Wikipedia's article - Lymphokine
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