cytokine
Cellular communication protein
A cytokine is a small protein released by cells that affects the behavior of other cells, functioning as a chemical messenger in the immune system.
Cytokines coordinate immune responses—signaling inflammation, recruiting white blood cells to infection sites, or telling cells to grow or die.
The term covers many specific types: interleukins, interferons, and tumor necrosis factors are all cytokines.
A cytokine storm is a dangerous overreaction where the immune system floods the body with inflammatory signals.
Immune system white cell
- leukocyteInfection-fighting blood cell
- macrophageEngulfing immune cell
- monocytePhagocytic blood leukocyte
- T cellThymus-derived immune lymphocyte
B cell · natural killer cell · antigen · antibody · thymus · innate immunity · immunosuppression · cytotoxic
Signal-receiving molecule
- ligandMolecule that binds centrally
- transductionSignal or energy transformation
- cascadeSuccessive downward flow
- phosphorylationPhosphate group attachment process
kinase · growth factor · feedback · apoptosis · endocrine · downstream · crosstalk · activation
Body's reaction to injury
- swellingAbnormal tissue enlargement
- rednessCrimson-hued state
- feverElevated body temperature
- tissue damageHarm to body cells
edema · prostaglandins · histamine · C-reactive protein · acute phase · chronic inflammation · vasodilation · anti-inflammatory
Body attacks itself
- rheumatoid arthritisAutoimmune joint disease
- psoriasisImmune system attacks skin cells
- multiple sclerosisAutoimmune demyelinating neurological disease
- lupusChronic autoimmune disorder
inflammatory bowel disease · Crohn's disease · ulcerative colitis · septic shock · allergy · asthma · atherosclerosis · fibrosis
Disease treatment via body's defenses
- biologicLiving-organism-derived drug
- monoclonal antibodyEngineered protein from cloned cells
- HumiraTNF-blocking biologic drug
- clinical trialsControlled health research experiments
Identification of illness
- prognosisPredicted disease course
- blood testDiagnostic fluid analysis
- quantificationExpressing something numerically
- predictiveRelating to forecasts
Protein bonded to carbohydrates
- peptideShort amino acid chain
- amino acidsOrganic compounds forming proteins
- protein foldingChain becoming functional structure
- solubleAble to dissolve
lymphocyte
Immune system white cell
- leukocyteInfection-fighting blood cell
- macrophageEngulfing immune cell
- monocytePhagocytic blood leukocyte
T cell · B cell · natural killer cell · antigen · antibody · thymus · innate immunity · immunosuppression · cytotoxic
receptor
Signal-receiving molecule
- ligandMolecule that binds centrally
- transductionSignal or energy transformation
- cascadeSuccessive downward flow
phosphorylation · kinase · growth factor · feedback · apoptosis · endocrine · downstream · crosstalk · activation · inhibition
inflammatory response
Body's reaction to injury
tissue damage · edema · prostaglandins · histamine · C-reactive protein · acute phase · chronic inflammation · vasodilation · anti-inflammatory · proinflammatory
autoimmune
Body attacks itself
- rheumatoid arthritisAutoimmune joint disease
- psoriasisImmune system attacks skin cells
- multiple sclerosisAutoimmune demyelinating neurological disease
lupus · inflammatory bowel disease · Crohn's disease · ulcerative colitis · septic shock · allergy · asthma · atherosclerosis · fibrosis · chronic fatigue
immunotherapy
Disease treatment via body's defenses
- biologicLiving-organism-derived drug
- monoclonal antibodyEngineered protein from cloned cells
- HumiraTNF-blocking biologic drug
diagnosis
Identification of illness
- prognosisPredicted disease course
- blood testDiagnostic fluid analysis
- quantificationExpressing something numerically
glycoprotein
Protein bonded to carbohydrates
- peptideShort amino acid chain
- amino acidsOrganic compounds forming proteins
- protein foldingChain becoming functional structure
- Substancesmatter, elements, compounds, molecules, atoms
- Biochemicalsamino acid, amino acids, protein, proteins, DNA
- immunityimmune, immunity, immune system, immune response, immune cells
- secretionssaliva, sweat, mucus, bile, tears
- wound healingscab, scar, granulation, wound closure, scar formation
- cyto- wordscytoskeleton, cytosol, cytoplasmic, cytokinesis, cytogenetics
- cytokine stormExcessive immune signaling crisis