Cytokines are important proteins in our immune system. They help control how our body responds to inflammation. These tiny proteins usually weigh between 5 to 20 kDa and work as messengers between cells, coordinating different parts of the immune response. There are more than 30 different types of cytokines, and they can be grouped into families based on how they look and what they do. Some of these families include interleukins (IL), tumor necrosis factors (TNF), and interferons (IFN).
Cytokines send signals by binding to specific proteins called receptors on the surface of target cells. This leads to different reactions in the body. When a cytokine binds to its receptor, it starts a process inside the cell that can change how genes are expressed. For example, when IL-1 connects with its receptor, it activates a pathway known as NF-κB. This pathway is super important because it controls about 80% of the cytokines that cause inflammation.
Cytokines are often divided into two groups: pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory.
Pro-inflammatory cytokines (like TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6) start and boost inflammation. High levels of these cytokines are linked to long-lasting diseases. For example:
Anti-inflammatory cytokines (like IL-10 and TGF-β) help calm down the inflammation and assist healing. IL-10 can reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by up to 50%. TGF-β helps the tissue heal and recover.
Keeping a balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines is important for good health. When this balance is messed up, it can cause problems:
Doctors have found ways to use cytokines for treatments. Medications that target specific cytokines have helped many people with inflammatory diseases.
Anti-TNF Therapy: Drugs like infliximab and etanercept can reduce disease symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis by over 60% for many patients.
IL-1 Blockade: Canakinumab is a drug targeting IL-1β and has been helpful for children with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, cutting down on flare-ups.
Cytokines are crucial in managing inflammation in our bodies. Understanding how they work has not only expanded our knowledge of the immune system but also led to new ways to treat diseases. Ongoing research into how cytokines interact and their effects will help create better treatments for inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, improving patients' health.
Cytokines are important proteins in our immune system. They help control how our body responds to inflammation. These tiny proteins usually weigh between 5 to 20 kDa and work as messengers between cells, coordinating different parts of the immune response. There are more than 30 different types of cytokines, and they can be grouped into families based on how they look and what they do. Some of these families include interleukins (IL), tumor necrosis factors (TNF), and interferons (IFN).
Cytokines send signals by binding to specific proteins called receptors on the surface of target cells. This leads to different reactions in the body. When a cytokine binds to its receptor, it starts a process inside the cell that can change how genes are expressed. For example, when IL-1 connects with its receptor, it activates a pathway known as NF-κB. This pathway is super important because it controls about 80% of the cytokines that cause inflammation.
Cytokines are often divided into two groups: pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory.
Pro-inflammatory cytokines (like TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6) start and boost inflammation. High levels of these cytokines are linked to long-lasting diseases. For example:
Anti-inflammatory cytokines (like IL-10 and TGF-β) help calm down the inflammation and assist healing. IL-10 can reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by up to 50%. TGF-β helps the tissue heal and recover.
Keeping a balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines is important for good health. When this balance is messed up, it can cause problems:
Doctors have found ways to use cytokines for treatments. Medications that target specific cytokines have helped many people with inflammatory diseases.
Anti-TNF Therapy: Drugs like infliximab and etanercept can reduce disease symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis by over 60% for many patients.
IL-1 Blockade: Canakinumab is a drug targeting IL-1β and has been helpful for children with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, cutting down on flare-ups.
Cytokines are crucial in managing inflammation in our bodies. Understanding how they work has not only expanded our knowledge of the immune system but also led to new ways to treat diseases. Ongoing research into how cytokines interact and their effects will help create better treatments for inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, improving patients' health.