The interleukins in acquired disease.
Year: 1988
Type: article
Abstract: The 'interleukins' are a group of polypeptides belonging to the family of 'cytokines', i.e. hormone-like molecules which can affect various cell functions thereby enabling communication between different cell types. The interleukins can be released by lymphoid cells in response to antigen but in contrast to the chemical composition of antibodies their chemical composition is not determined by that of the stimulating antigen. However, it is now clear that non-antigenic stimuli also induce synthesis of interleukins and that many non-lymphoid nucleated cells can be producers of interleukins and/or express functional interleukin receptors. At the present time (June 1988), the interleukin family comprises six well-characterized members, a number which will certainly increase in the near future. Generally, interleukins 1-6 (IL-1-IL-6) modulate both localized and systemic host defence mechanisms (inflammation and immunity) by regulating the growth, mobility and differentiation of lymphoid as well as nonlymphoid cells. They are synthesized by the host in response to injury, infection and various immunological reactions and their effects are mediated through at least six distinct cell surface receptors. Interestingly, some interleukins can interact specifically with more than one cell surface receptor molecule (Smith, 1987). An assessment of the function of interleukins coupled with their availability as cloned purified entities suggests that they may have an important therapeutic role in human disease.
Source: PubMed
Authors: M Malkovský, P M Sondel, W Strober, A G Dalgleish
Language: English
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2432782889