interleukin

noun

in·​ter·​leu·​kin ˌin-tər-ˈlü-kən How to pronounce interleukin (audio)
: 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 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

Time Traveler
The first known use of interleukin was in 1979

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.

Medical Definition

interleukin

noun
in·​ter·​leu·​kin ˌin-tər-ˈlü-kən How to pronounce interleukin (audio)
: 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

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