interleukin

British  

/ ˌɪntəˈluːkɪn /

noun

1. a substance extracted from white blood cells that stimulates their activity against infection and may be used to combat some forms of cancer

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interleukin Scientific  

/ ĭn′tər-lo̅o̅′kĭn /

1. Any of a class of cytokines that act to stimulate, regulate, or modulate lymphocytes such as T cells. Interleukin-1, which has two subtypes, is released by macrophages and certain other cells, and regulates cell-mediated and humoral immunity. It induces the production of interleukin-2 by helper T cells and also acts as a pyrogen. Interleukin-2 stimulates the proliferation of helper T cells, stimulates B cell growth and differentiation, and has been used experimentally to treat cancer. Interleukin-3 is released by mast cells and helper T cells in response to an antigen and stimulates the growth of blood stem cells and lymphoid cells such as macrophages and mast cells. There are many other interleukins that are part of the immune system.

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Example Sentences

Critically, a subset of both groups contained a unique mutation in a gene for the receptor for cellular signaling proteins called interleukin 4 and interleukin 13.

From Science Daily • Dec. 11, 2023

One of these proteins, interleukin 6, has been linked to conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Type 2 diabetes and chronic stress.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 11, 2023

A central player in the pathway to nausea and retching was an immune system molecule called interleukin 33, or IL33.

From New York Times • Nov. 1, 2022

The drug cyclosporine is used to suppress immune rejection of organ transplants by inhibiting production of interleukin, a cytokine messenger that increases expression in T cells.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

They are trying to find out, for instance, whether using antibodies to block interleukin 6 or complement component 5, two signaling molecules that play a role in the human immune defense, can help patients.

From Science Magazine • Apr. 2, 2020