3. Cytokines and chemokines

Abstract

Cytokines and chemokines are secreted proteins with growth, differentiation, and activation functions that regulate the nature of immune responses. Cytokines are involved in nearly every facet of immunity and inflammation, from induction of the innate immune response to the generation of cytotoxic T cells and the development of antibodies by the humoral immune system. The combination of cytokines that are produced in response to an immune insult determines which arm of the immune system will be activated. For this update, recent advances in our understanding of cytokines will be discussed, which includes the IL-10, IL-17, and IL-27 families.