interleukin
noun
in·ter·leu·kin
ˌin-tər-ˈlü-kən 
: any of various cytokines of low molecular weight that are produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and monocytes and that function especially in regulation of the immune system and especially cell-mediated immunity
—often used with an identifying number —abbreviation IL
see also interleukin-1, interleukin-2, interleukin-6
Examples of interleukin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Diet Certain nutrients can help to fight chronic inflammation by counteracting inflammatory proteins like C-reactive protein, interleukins (like IL-1 or IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a).
—
Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 26 Apr. 2023
High levels of inflammatory markers like interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor inhibit the natural rhythm of the sleep-wake cycle, Wirth says.
—Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 18 Mar. 2023
Doctors treated him with interleukin inhibitors to slow inflammation, along with the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine and the antibiotic azithromycin.
—New York Times, 29 Apr. 2020
Fortuity was behind the idea of tocilizumab: When Emily Whitehead, the first child to receive CAR-T, developed cytokine release syndrome, her medical team noted that her blood contained high levels of a cytokine called interleukin 6.
—Ilana Yurkiewicz, Smithsonian, 26 Oct. 2019
But different interleukins have different jobs and pathways in the body.
—Sarah Jacoby, SELF, 21 Oct. 2019
Their movements are marshaled by signaling chemicals, such as the interleukins, which tell cells where and when to fight and when to stand down.
—Claudia Wallis, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2018
And so early efforts centered on making sure the gas tank was filled—priming the immune system with cytokines (such as the interleukins) or with immune-signaling proteins like interferon to rev up the tumor-fighting response.
—Clifton Leaf, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2017
Convinced his patient would not survive another day, a frantic Grupp got rushed lab results that suggested a surge of interleukin 6 was causing her immune system to relentlessly hammer her body.
—Laurie McGinley, Alaska Dispatch News, 13 July 2017
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Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 26 Apr. 2023
High levels of inflammatory markers like interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor inhibit the natural rhythm of the sleep-wake cycle, Wirth says.
—Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 18 Mar. 2023
Doctors treated him with interleukin inhibitors to slow inflammation, along with the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine and the antibiotic azithromycin.
—New York Times, 29 Apr. 2020
Fortuity was behind the idea of tocilizumab: When Emily Whitehead, the first child to receive CAR-T, developed cytokine release syndrome, her medical team noted that her blood contained high levels of a cytokine called interleukin 6.
—Ilana Yurkiewicz, Smithsonian, 26 Oct. 2019
But different interleukins have different jobs and pathways in the body.
—Sarah Jacoby, SELF, 21 Oct. 2019
Their movements are marshaled by signaling chemicals, such as the interleukins, which tell cells where and when to fight and when to stand down.
—Claudia Wallis, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2018
And so early efforts centered on making sure the gas tank was filled—priming the immune system with cytokines (such as the interleukins) or with immune-signaling proteins like interferon to rev up the tumor-fighting response.
—Clifton Leaf, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2017
Convinced his patient would not survive another day, a frantic Grupp got rushed lab results that suggested a surge of interleukin 6 was causing her immune system to relentlessly hammer her body.
—Laurie McGinley, Alaska Dispatch News, 13 July 2017
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'interleukin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
inter- + leuk- + -in entry 1
First Known Use
1979, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near interleukin
Cite this Entry
“Interleukin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interleukin. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.
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Medical Definition
interleukin
noun
in·ter·leu·kin
ˌin-tər-ˈlü-kən
: any of various compounds of low molecular weight that are produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and monocytes and that function especially in regulation of the immune system and especially cell-mediated immunity
More from Merriam-Webster on interleukin
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about interleukin
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