Each cytokine has a matching cell-surface receptor. Subsequent cascades of intracellular signaling then alter cell functions.

Think of a cytokine as a key and the receptor on the receiving cell like a lock. When the cytokine (key) enters the cytokine receptor (lock), the receiving cell receives a message that tells it what to do.

1 day ago · Cytokines are tiny proteins that coordinate your immune response. Learn how they work, what happens when they’re out of balance, and their role in disease and treatment.

Cytokine storm, or cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in severe COVID-19 cases results from a dysregulated immune response, marked by delayed production of type-I and type-III IFNs and a …

4 days ago · Cytokine, any of a group of small, short-lived proteins that are released by one cell to regulate the function of another cell, thereby serving as intercellular chemical messengers.

Aug 5, 2025 · The term “cytokine” refers to a broad class of molecules, including interleukins, interferons, tumor necrosis factors, colony-stimulating factors, chemokines, and growth factors.

Aug 4, 2025 · The balance of cytokine activity is important for maintaining overall health. When functioning correctly, cytokines enable the immune system to effectively combat pathogens and …

This action may occur in an autocrine (acts on same cell), paracrine (acts on nearby cell) or endocrine (acts on distant cell; not the normal manner for cytokine responses) manner.

The cytokine shows a different biological activity spectrum, in particular in its action of differentiating normal and B lymphocytes, and as an immunomodulator of macrophage activity. It also has an …

A key aspect of cytokine biology is that an individual cytokine can elicit varying responses in many different types of cells. This pleiotropic property is amplified by cytokine redundancy.