The medical term of “cytokine” is derived from a blending of two Greek words – “cyto” or cell and “kinos” which means movement.
Cytokine molecules exist in peptides, proteins and glyco-proteins (sugar attached). Cytokines form a sizable family of molecules that can be grouped into several different categories, since there is no single system for classifying them.
Cytokine Chain Signaling – VIDEO
Cytokines range from the interferons, which help control the immune system’s reaction to infection and inflammation, to the signaling proteins known as interleukins.[1]
There is some disagreement among scientists, including in the regenerative medical community, about whether certain molecules should be called cytokines or hormones, although classic hormones circulate in nanomolar concentrations. Cytokines, by comparison, usually circulate in picomolar concentrations, and their levels can rise as much as a thousand-fold in response to an infection or inflammation.[2]
Cytokines have many sources, and virtually all nucleated human cells can produce interleukin 1 (IL1), interleukin 6 (IL6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), especially epithelial and endothelial cells along with macrophages. In contrast, classic hormones are secreted mainly by specialized endocrine glands, such as the pancreas, which secretes insulin. The kidney also makes some hormones, such as erythropoietin, but is mainly an excretory organ.
A cytokine’s movement patterns and activities may change into the very cell it had been secreted from. it can also work other damaged cells nearby or even “act” in a manner similar to the endocrine system to generate effects throughout the entire body, such as regulating body temperature for an example.
The most current category used to define cytokines are as “immunomodulating agents” or bio-agents that modulate the immune systems reactions. Cytokines are very important regulators of both innate and adaptive immune response system in humans.[3]
In hematopoietic stem cells, including those used in cord blood therapies, chemokines, cytokines and other growth factors help regulate processes such as:
- Self-renewal
- Quiescence
- Mobilization from the stem cell niche
- Differentiation
- Apoptosis
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Published Clinical Citations
[1] ^ Chuenchitra, Thippawan, Pittapun Chaitaveep, Suchitra Sukwit, Sukchai Dettrairat, Sutchana Tabprasit, Surangrat Srisurapanon, Surapol Kohreanudom, et al. 2012. Cytokine profiles in HIV-1 subtype CRF01_AE infected individuals with different rates of diseases progression: a multiplex immunoassay. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22934457
[2] ^ Kheansaard, Wasinee, Prapaporn Panichob, Suthat Fucharoen, and Dalina I Tanyong. 2011. Cytokine-induced apoptosis of beta-thalassemia/hemoglobin E erythroid progenitor cells via nitric oxide-mediated process in vitro. Acta haematologica, no. 4 (September 21). doi:10.1159/000329903. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21934298
[3] ^ Zhang, Cheng C, and Harvey F Lodish. 2008. Cytokines regulating hematopoietic stem cell function. Current opinion in hematology, no. 4. doi:10.1097/MOH.0b013e3283007db5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18536567