cytokines: Secreted proteins that are important for interactions between immune cells and help orchestrate an immune response. Some cytokines stimulate or suppress the activity of immune cells. Others, such as lymphotoxin and tumor necrosis factor, are cytotoxic. T cells, B cells, macrophages, fibroblasts, endothelial cells and many other types of cells make cytokines. Cytokines can also be produced in the laboratory by recombinant DNA technology and given to people to affect immune responses. Also called interleukins or lymphokines.
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