Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Isolation Protocol of Mouse Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells and Their Subsequent In Vitro Activation with Tumor Immune Complexes
Published on: May 31, 2018
Cytokine secretion in macrophages and other cells: pathways and mediators
Jennifer L Stow1, Pei Ching Low, Carolin Offenhäuser
1Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia. j.stow@imb.uq.edu.au
Abstract:
Cytokines and other immune mediators are secreted by cells of the immune system during immune responses and as a means of communication. While the functions of these cytokines, chemokines and mediators are well known, the intracellular pathways that lead to their secretion by different cells are only now being fully documented. Cytokines in some cells are released from secretory granules while in other cells they are released via constitutive secretory pathways that instead have more dynamic vesicular carriers. Recent studies have revealed that newly synthesized cytokines can be routed via compartments such as recycling endosomes prior to their secretion. Here we describe and show examples of some of the pathways used for cytokine trafficking and release in macrophages, including some of the cellular machinery required for this transport. Increasingly, these trafficking pathways are revealed as having important regulatory roles in the execution of immune responses.
Related Concept Videos
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
Inflammatory Response
Inflammation can be triggered by various stimuli, such as impact, abrasion, chemical irritation, infections, and extreme hot or cold temperatures. These can damage cells and connective tissue fibers,...
Amplifying Signals via Second Messengers

