cachectin
[ kuh-kek-tin ]
noun
Biochemistry, Immunology. a protein that is released by activated macrophages as an immune system defense and, when the defense is overwhelmed, is a cause of cachexia or toxic shock: in humans, identical with tumor necrosis factor.
Origin of cachectin
1Words Nearby cachectin
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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