interleukin 1

[ in-ter-loo-kin ]

noun

, Immunology.

1. any of several proteins released from certain cells, especially macrophages, and having various effects on the activity of other cells, as promoting inflammation or enhancing T-cell proliferation. : IL-1

Word History and Origins

Origin of interleukin 1¹

1979; inter- + leuk(ocyte) + -in ²; so called because such proteins act as agents of communication between different populations of leukocytes