cytokine

noun cy·to·kine \ ˈsī-tə-ˌkīn \

|Updated on: 22 Jul 2018

Definition of cytokine

: any of a class of immunoregulatory proteins (such as interleukin or interferon) that are secreted by cells especially of the immune system

Recent Examples of cytokine from the Web

Aside from their tuft, these cells are known for making IL-25, a cytokine that coordinates the immune response to tapeworms and other parasites.

— diana gitig, Ars Technica, "We’ve found the cells norovirus targets—we just don’t know what they do," 14 Apr. 2018
Postolache's group has also explored cytokines that may be involved in triggering fatigue, hypothesizing that the allergic reaction is the direct biological cause of low mood.

— elizabeth landau, CNN, "Sad in the spring? Allergy-mood link is real," 23 Mar. 2018
And then, when the hordes are vanquished, more cytokines are released that signal the battle is over and your immune soldiers can head back to their barracks.

— Houston Chronicle, "YouDocs0514," 13 May 2018
One of the things that happens is that Interleukin-1, an inflammatory type of cytokine, is activated.

— laura haynes, Washington Post, "How the ﬂu hijacks your body to make you feel so wretched," 17 Feb. 2018
One of the things that happens is that Interleukin-1, an inflammatory type of cytokine, is activated.

— laura haynes, Newsweek, "Here's How The Flu Attacks Your Body—And Why It's So Painful," 17 Feb. 2018
One of the things that happens is that Interleukin-1, an inflammatory type of cytokine, is activated.

— laura haynes, Washington Post, "How the ﬂu hijacks your body to make you feel so wretched," 17 Feb. 2018
One of the things that happens is that Interleukin-1, an inflammatory type of cytokine, is activated.

— laura haynes, Newsweek, "Here's How The Flu Attacks Your Body—And Why It's So Painful," 17 Feb. 2018
One of the things that happens is that Interleukin-1, an inflammatory type of cytokine, is activated.

— laura haynes, Philly.com, "What the flu virus does to your body, and why you feel so miserable," 12 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cytokine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cytokine

cyt- + -kine (as in lymphokine)

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1974

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

cytokine

noun cy·to·kine \ ˈsīt-ə-ˌkīn \

medical Definition of cytokine

: any of a class of immunoregulatory proteins (as interleukin, tumor necrosis factor, and interferon) that are secreted by cells especially of the immune system