Cytokines endogenous proteins as cell controls
The importance of cytokines in modern medicine is increasing. Various, complex processes are immanent to them, which no other cell type performs.
Definition and Functions
The word cytokine , also cytokine , comes from the ancient Greek language world. It means vascular or cavernous movement.
What is meant are endogenous proteins that are responsible for a significant part of cell control. The scope of their potential has not yet been determined. They are divided into several types. In addition to the existing ones, researchers suspect several subtypes of cytokines.
Their production takes place in the immune-relevant cells of the body. These include:
- macrophages ,
- T lymphocytes,
- fibroblasts.
The proteins unfold various material reactions in the body. These are endocrine, autocrine and paracrine in nature. The cells form networks among themselves for the transmission of information and impulses
Cytokines and their expressions
The cytokines are differentiated in different ways. A well-known system calls them interleukins, IL for short. In addition, they carry ascending numbers.
In contrast to other systems, their function is not evident from this. These divergent systems give the title of their function in a short form. Cancer-indicating cytokines are called, for example, TNF. The abbreviation stands for the word tumor necrosis factor. These cytokines appear on damaged tissue in terms of metastasis.
Another common system separates the cytokines according to their effect on the immune response. The cytokines receive the simplest and clearest separation based on their pro-inflammatory or their anti-inflammatory effect. This distinction fits into the scheme of immunological discrimination. In addition to the immunological importance, cytokines are responsible for other tasks. They act as the engine of cell growth. In addition, they act as promoters of proliferation. This is the renewal and re-production of dying cells.
The distinction in inflammatory medicine
The distinction between cytokines in inflammation medicine splits them into anti-inflammatory, so-called anti-inflammatory, and pro-inflammatory, so-called pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Both varieties have a different meaning for the defense against infection. As soon as an antigen is in the body, macrophages defend themselves with interleukins. These proinflammatory cytokines produce inflammation as an immune response at the site of antigens. In addition, cytokines are produced, which start the proliferation of T helper cells .
These T helper cells produce their own classes of cytokines. These have the task of releasing immunoglobulins. These are antibodies that fight invaders as weapons of the immune system. The cytokine IL10 regulates the status of the cytokine-based immune response. It throttles the speed or initiates other processes. That way, inflammation doesn’t last for long periods of time. IL12 takes on an important task in the field of cell differentiation. The body constantly has helper cells ready, which do not yet take on a specific task. IL12 helps them to classify and gives them the impetus for the required activity.
The other interleukins take on opposing effects and control stimulating cytokines. The TNF already mentioned is the fastest cytokine that reacts to external influences. However, if the increased plasma level remains high, it produces negative effects on the human body. It increases cell wall permeability. In addition, there are cardiac arrhythmias.
What does the cytokine status say and when do doctors determine it?
A cytokine status behaves like the types of cytokines: it is anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory. Accordingly, doctors use the cytokines in the blood to determine inflammation and immune reactions in the body. Some diseases require precise determination of the cytokines and their activity. This includes, for example:
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic bowel diseases
- Cancer
- autoimmune reactions
In addition, further statements about the condition of a patient can be made on the basis of the cytokines. Cytokine diagnostic methods enable the diagnosis of chronic inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Furthermore, cytokines show what effects naturopathic treatments have on the body.
The cytokines in the medicine of the future
In various medical fields, researchers rely on undiscovered and modifiable cytokines. Because they can be used as mediators, triggers and indicators, they play an indispensable role in the immune system. There is particular hope for this type of cell in the field of allergy medicine. Researchers are trying to use the body’s own cytokines to create vaccines against allergic reactions.
Immunotherapy with cytokines is also an option for cancer. The interferon class controls the spread and destruction of malignant cells as part of a therapy.
Instead of stressful, antiviral agents, cytokines with cell growth impulses can be used in people with a weak immune system. Interleukins such as IL2 are able to destroy immune-related tumor tissue. This procedure is in the testing phase. IL10 forms the counterpart that limits the action of the interleukin. In this way, therapy takes place under controlled conditions. The prerequisite is a clear tissue tumor.
Cytokines are an integral part of future medicine. Their classes are divided into different types of immune responses. You will find therapeutic testing in various areas.
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