| cytokine | <biochemistry> Small proteins or biological factors (in the range of 5-20 kD) that are released by cells and have specific effects on cell-cell interaction, communication and behaviour of other cells. Not really different from hormones, but the term tends to be used as a convenient generic shorthand for interleukins, lymphokines and several related signalling molecules such as TNF and interferons. Generally growth factors would not be classified as cytokines, though TGF is an exception. Rather an imprecise term. Chemokines are a subset of cytokines. (29 Sep 1997) |
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| cytokines | Non-antibody proteins secreted by inflammatory leukocytes and some non-leukocytic cells, that act as intercellular mediators. They differ from classical hormones in that they are produced by a number of tissue or cell types rather than by specialised glands. They generally act locally in a paracrine or autocrine rather than endocrine manner. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cytokinesis | Process in which the cytoplasm of a cell is divided after nuclear division (mitosis) is complete. (18 Nov 1997) |
| receptors, cytokine | Cell surface proteins that bind cytokines and trigger intracellular changes influencing the behaviour of cells. (12 Dec 1998) |
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