Cytokine Classification

The term "cytokine" encompasses a wide range of low-weight molecular proteins that play different roles in regulating various aspects of the immune response such as its duration and intensity.

Examples of cytokines include the interleukins, the interferons, the mesenchymal growth factors, the chemokine family, the tumour necrosis factor family and the adipokines. However, there is no unified cytokine classification system and cytokines are identified in various ways which include:

By way of the numeric order of discovery. Currently 35 interleukins have been identified and are numbered 1 to 35 according to the order of their discovery.

Depending on their functional activity. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), for example, causes apoptosis while granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) stimulates the bone marrow to produce and release white blood cells into the blood.

According to their kinetic or functional role in inflammation which may be proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory, early or late, innate or adaptive, for example.

Depending on the type of cell the cytokine originated from. The cytokine may be described as a monokine if the primary cell of origin is a monocyte for example, or a lymphokine if it was a lymphocyte.

More recently, classification has been based on structural similarities observed between related cytokines. The chemokines can be divided into superfamilies that share similar sequences and show homology in their receptor systems, although they do not share similar functions. These members of the super family also contain regulatory cell membrane receptor-ligand pairs, indicating that similar structural motifs are employed in varying immune functions. The TNF receptor superfamily includes cytokines such as lymphotoxins, TNF- α and cellular ligands such as FasL (CD95) and CD40L. The latter mediates B cell and T cell activation while FasL promotes apoptosis or programmed cell death.

Sources

  1. http://www2.nau.edu/~fpm/immunology/lectures/Chapter012.pdf
  2. https://www.bio.tamu.edu/
  3. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/eji.200737772/pdf
  4. https://www.us.elsevierhealth.com/
  5. https://mefst.unist.hr/en

Further Reading

Last Updated: Jul 6, 2023

Dr. Ananya Mandal

Written by

Dr. Ananya Mandal

Dr. Ananya Mandal is a doctor by profession, lecturer by vocation and a medical writer by passion. She specialized in Clinical Pharmacology after her bachelor's (MBBS). For her, health communication is not just writing complicated reviews for professionals but making medical knowledge understandable and available to the general public as well.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Mandal, Ananya. (2023, July 06). Cytokine Classification. News-Medical. Retrieved on November 04, 2024 from https://www.news-medical.net/health/Cytokine-Classification.aspx.

  • MLA

    Mandal, Ananya. "Cytokine Classification". News-Medical. 04 November 2024. <https://www.news-medical.net/health/Cytokine-Classification.aspx>.

  • Chicago

    Mandal, Ananya. "Cytokine Classification". News-Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/health/Cytokine-Classification.aspx. (accessed November 04, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Mandal, Ananya. 2023. Cytokine Classification. News-Medical, viewed 04 November 2024, https://www.news-medical.net/health/Cytokine-Classification.aspx.

Comments

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
Post a new comment
Post

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.

You might also like...
The potential benefits of aged black garlic on inflammation and prostate cancer