Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of CytokinesHow Cytokines WorkCytokine OverproductionBiologic Cytokine InhibitorsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Cytokines
How Cytokines Work
Cytokine Overproduction
Biologic Cytokine Inhibitors
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cytokines are diverse and serve a number of functions in the body. They:
While “cytokine” is an umbrella term that includes many types of protein messengers, more specific names are given to cytokines based on either the type of cell that makes them or the action they have in the body:
The imune system is complex—different types of immune cells and proteins do different jobs. Cytokines are among those proteins. To understandinflammation, you must understand the role cytokines play.
For example, interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and TNF-α are produced in excess inrheumatoid arthritis, where they’re involved in inflammation and tissue destruction.
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Some biologic drugs inhibit IL-1 or TNF-α.
Other biologic drugs bind cytokines, preventing them from binding to their designated receptors. For example, TNF-α inhibitors (also calledTNF blockers) bind to TNF and prevent it from attaching to cell-surface receptors. The TNF-α inhibitors on the market are:
Cytokine BasicsPro-inflammatory cytokines play a role in the development of inflammatory and neuropathic pain.Anti-inflammatory cytokines are actually inflammatory cytokine antagonists.Evidence suggests that chemokines are involved in initiating pain and the persistence of pain.
Cytokine Basics
Pro-inflammatory cytokines play a role in the development of inflammatory and neuropathic pain.Anti-inflammatory cytokines are actually inflammatory cytokine antagonists.Evidence suggests that chemokines are involved in initiating pain and the persistence of pain.
Pro-inflammatory cytokines play a role in the development of inflammatory and neuropathic pain.
Anti-inflammatory cytokines are actually inflammatory cytokine antagonists.
Evidence suggests that chemokines are involved in initiating pain and the persistence of pain.
There are two different types of inflammatory cytokines:
Platelets (thrombocytes) are blood cells that control blood clotting in response to injury. Cytokines are contained in platelets and play an important role in wound repair, as well as assisting withhomeostasis, or the body’s need to maintain a state of equilibrium (levels of temperature, sleep, hunger, thirst, and more).Learn MoreThe Function of Blood Platelets or Thrombocytes
Platelets (thrombocytes) are blood cells that control blood clotting in response to injury. Cytokines are contained in platelets and play an important role in wound repair, as well as assisting withhomeostasis, or the body’s need to maintain a state of equilibrium (levels of temperature, sleep, hunger, thirst, and more).
Learn MoreThe Function of Blood Platelets or Thrombocytes
Learn More8 Things That Elevate Your Platelet Count
Chemokines are a type of cytokine that regulate cell migration between tissues. They also control the interactions of cells in those tissues and how they are positioned.
8 Sources
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Ferreira VL, Borba HH, Bonetti ADF, Leonart LP, Pontarolo R.Cytokines and Interferons: Types and Functions.Autoantibodies and Cytokines. doi:10.5772/intechopen.74550Tisoncik JR, Korth MJ, Simmons CP, Farrar J, Martin TR, Katze MG.Into the eye of the cytokine storm.Microbiol Mol Biol Rev. 2012;76(1):16–32. doi:10.1128/MMBR.05015-11Zhang JM, An J.Cytokines, inflammation, and pain.Int Anesthesiol Clin. 2007;45(2):27–37. doi:10.1097/AIA.0b013e318034194eMedlinePlus.Immune response.Chen Y, Zhong H, Zhao Y, et al.Role of platelet biomarkers in inflammatory response.Biomark Res2020;8:28. doi:10.1186/s40364-020-00207-2Cleveland Clinic.Thrombocytosis.Justiz Vaillant AA, Qurie A.Interleukin. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Chow M, Luster A.Chemokines in cancer.Cancer Immunology Research. 2014 Dec;2(12):1125–1131. doi:10.1158/2326-6066.CIR-14-0160
Ferreira VL, Borba HH, Bonetti ADF, Leonart LP, Pontarolo R.Cytokines and Interferons: Types and Functions.Autoantibodies and Cytokines. doi:10.5772/intechopen.74550
Tisoncik JR, Korth MJ, Simmons CP, Farrar J, Martin TR, Katze MG.Into the eye of the cytokine storm.Microbiol Mol Biol Rev. 2012;76(1):16–32. doi:10.1128/MMBR.05015-11
Zhang JM, An J.Cytokines, inflammation, and pain.Int Anesthesiol Clin. 2007;45(2):27–37. doi:10.1097/AIA.0b013e318034194e
MedlinePlus.Immune response.
Chen Y, Zhong H, Zhao Y, et al.Role of platelet biomarkers in inflammatory response.Biomark Res2020;8:28. doi:10.1186/s40364-020-00207-2
Cleveland Clinic.Thrombocytosis.
Justiz Vaillant AA, Qurie A.Interleukin. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
Chow M, Luster A.Chemokines in cancer.Cancer Immunology Research. 2014 Dec;2(12):1125–1131. doi:10.1158/2326-6066.CIR-14-0160
Cytokines. BioBasics.
McInnes I. and Schett G.Cytokines in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Nature Immunology.
Regeneron and Sanofi Present Results from Pivotal Phase 3 Study of Sarilumab at American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting. Regeneron.
Zhang, J-M et al.Cytokines, Inflammation and Pain. International Anesthesiology Clinics.
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