rakkude produtseeritavad valgud, mis mõjutavad teiste (või ka samade) rakkude käitumist; on rakkudevahelise kommunikatsiooni mediaatoriteks
Cytokines are a broad and loose category of small proteins (~5–20 kDa) that are important in cell signaling. Their release has an effect on the behavior of cells around them or to themselves. It can be said that cytokines are involved in autocrine signalling, paracrine signalling and endocrine signalling as immunomodulating agents. Cytokines are classified by their origin, function, structure or by other properties to groups (e.g. chemokines, growth factors etc.)
Good to know
Klassifitseeritakse nii päritolu, funktsiooni, struktuuri kui muude iseloomuomaduste alusel gruppidesse (nt lümfo- kiinid, kemokiinid, kasvufaktorid).
