| 释义 |
cytokine, n. Physiol.
Brit. |ˈsʌɪtəkʌɪn|, U.S. |ˈsaɪdəˌkaɪn|
[‹ cyto- comb. form + -kine (in lymphokine n. at lympho- comb. form Affix).]
Any of a varied group of small proteins which are secreted by cells of many types and which mediate cellular interaction in immune and inflammatory responses, cell proliferation and differentiation, and various other processes.
1974S. Cohen et al. in R. T. McCluskey & S. Cohen Mechanisms Cell-Mediated Immunity xii. 354 These results all suggest that lymphokine production..represents a general biologic phenomenon... Thus, such mediator substances should be more properly called ‘cytokines’. 1988Sci. Amer. May 41/1 It [sc. tumor necrosis factor] is one of a family of so-called cytokines: polypeptide mediators that transmit signals from one cell to another. 1994Economist 17 Dec. 99/1 Many of those using the directed approach also plan to try to improve the T-cell response using immune-signalling molecules known as cytokines. 2007Guardian 18 Jan. 9/1 Both the virus and the drug caused a surge of cytokines, the molecules in the blood that activate immune cells. When this ‘cytokine storm’ occurs in the lungs, body fluids and immune cells can accumulate and block the airways, quickly leading to death. |