cytokine
noun
cy·to·kine
ˈsī-tə-ˌkīn 
plural cytokines
: any of a class of immunoregulatory proteins (such as interleukin or interferon) that are secreted by cells especially of the immune system
Most cytokines are produced primarily in the presence of disease or immunization and contribute to immune responses, inflammation, and endothelial cell activation; others are involved in tissue repair.—
Charles A. Dinarello et al.
Charles A. Dinarello et al.The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-2 determines the magnitude and duration of the T-cell response immediately after antigen encounter and assists in the maturation of macrophages and the proliferation of B cells and natural killer cells …—Chiea C. Khor et al.
Chiea C. Khor et al.Examples of cytokine in a Sentence
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The signals do this by telling certain immune cells to stop producing inflammatory proteins called cytokines.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 3 Feb. 2025
Before and after periods of play, the children’s skin and gut microbiota were measured using genetic sequencing of bacteria taken from skin swabs and stool samples, along with changes to T cells and cytokines in their blood.
—Kathy Willis, WIRED, 21 Dec. 2024
In the atopic dermatitis project conducted with Leo Pharma, researchers looked at cytokine differences in sweat collected from different parts of the body at different times of day, because cytokine levels are a good proxy for dermatitis flare-ups and inflammation.
—IEEE Spectrum, 10 Apr. 2020
Overweight and obese participants also had significantly higher numbers of non-classical monocytes (NCM), a subclass of monocytes that act as immune surveillance cells, and elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines.
—New Atlas, 25 Feb. 2025
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Jon Hamilton, NPR, 3 Feb. 2025
Before and after periods of play, the children’s skin and gut microbiota were measured using genetic sequencing of bacteria taken from skin swabs and stool samples, along with changes to T cells and cytokines in their blood.
—Kathy Willis, WIRED, 21 Dec. 2024
In the atopic dermatitis project conducted with Leo Pharma, researchers looked at cytokine differences in sweat collected from different parts of the body at different times of day, because cytokine levels are a good proxy for dermatitis flare-ups and inflammation.
—IEEE Spectrum, 10 Apr. 2020
Overweight and obese participants also had significantly higher numbers of non-classical monocytes (NCM), a subclass of monocytes that act as immune surveillance cells, and elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines.
—New Atlas, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cytokine
Cite this Entry
“Cytokine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cytokine. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
cytokine
noun
cy·to·kine
ˈsīt-ə-ˌkīn
: any of a class of immunoregulatory proteins (as interleukin, tumor necrosis factor, and interferon) that are secreted by cells especially of the immune system
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