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
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Recent Examples of cytokine from the Web
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The cytokines speed up T cell cloning and knock down regulatory T cells, which put the brakes on the cloning process.
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In reaction, our genes produce proteins called cytokines that cause inflammation at a cellular level — which, over time, increases our risk of health issues like cancer, accelerated aging and psychiatric disorders like depression.
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The researchers found that the breathing exercise group’s saliva had significantly lower levels of three cytokines that are associated with inflammation and stress.
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Flu viruses do not cross the placenta, Dr. Meyer of the Swiss Institute said, but the mother’s immune reaction creates a storm of cytokines, some of which do.
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)
Medical Dictionary
cytokine
playMedical 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
Learn More about cytokine
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See words that rhyme with cytokine Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cytokine
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