[Proinflammatory cytokines in humoral immune response]

Proinflammatory cytokines secreted by cells involved in inflammatory process play a key role in the regulation of immune responses, both cellular and humoral immune response. Through their influence on T-helper lymphocytes and antigen presenting cells including lymphocytes B, they induce secretion of secondary cytokines and, in cooperation with them, promote activation and proliferation of lymphocytes B and production of variety of classes of immunoglobulins. Cytokines interact with their specific receptors which usually occur both in membrane bound and soluble form. The purpose of this article was to evaluate the relationships between primary cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and other cytokines, lymphocytes T-helper and lymphocytes B in the light of current opinions regarding this matter.