cytokine

noun

cy·to·kine | \ ˈsī-tə-ˌkīn

plural cytokines

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 Most cytokines are produced primarily in the presence of disease or immunization and contribute to immune responses, inflammation, and endothelial cell activation; others are involved in tissue repair.— Charles A. Dinarello et al. The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-2 determines the magnitude and duration of the T-cell response immediately after antigen encounter and assists in the maturation of macrophages and the proliferation of B cells and natural killer cells …— Chiea C. Khor et al.

Examples of cytokine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web While cytokines are a vital part of the body's immune response, too much can cause what's known as a cytokine storm. — Alessandria Masi, CNN, 23 May 2021 Some young, previously healthy patients have suffered from Covid-19 cytokine storms. — Holly Yan, CNN, 5 May 2021 The monoclonal antibody could help temper the immune system’s response to an infection, and help prevent severe immune reactions such as a cytokine storm, the NIH said. — Evan Macdonald, cleveland, 15 Apr. 2021 Throughout the pandemic, doctors have noticed some young, previously healthy patients suffer from Covid-19 cytokine storms. — Holly Yan, CNN, 12 Apr. 2021 Plasma therapy is also indicated to prevent the cytokine storm, a stage of the infection where the body’s immune system starts attacking itself. — Manavi Kapur, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2021 Doctors have said that in the most severe cases of COVID-19, the immune system overreacts in what is called a cytokine storm. — Mark Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2021 Kelsey's immune system had reached this point, known to doctors as a cytokine storm. — Mark Johnson, jsonline.com, 18 Mar. 2021 The payload itself mustn’t cause such problems as the cytokine storm of immune overreaction. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 17 Feb. 2021

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.

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Cite this Entry

“Cytokine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cytokine. Accessed 9 Aug. 2021.

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More Definitions for cytokine

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