interleukin 1

[in-ter-loo-kin]

noun Immunology.

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. Abbreviation: IL-1

Origin of interleukin 1

1979; inter- + leuk(ocyte) + -in²; so called because such proteins act as agents of communication between different populations of leukocytes