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[Cytokines in laboratory medicine]
Insights
Cytokines, discovered in 1965, are key immune substances produced by specific cells. Their complex networks and local actions, now measurable via sensitive immunoassays, highlight their growing importance in laboratory medicine.
Area of Science:
- Immunology and Molecular Biology
- Cellular Biology
Context:
- Cytokines, discovered in 1965, are crucial signaling molecules.
- Produced by immuno-competent cells, macrophages, and monocytes.
- Exhibit complex network interactions and primarily local action.
Purpose:
- To review the nature and significance of cytokines.
- To highlight the evolving role of cytokine quantitation in diagnostics.
Summary:
- Cytokines are diverse biologically active substances, excluding immunoglobulins, produced by specific immune cells.
- They function in intricate networks, often acting locally with pleiotropic and redundant effects.
- Advancements in sensitive immunoassays enable precise cytokine quantification.
Impact:
- Immunoassay-based cytokine measurement is emerging as a vital tool in laboratory medicine.
- Understanding cytokine networks enhances knowledge of immune responses.
- Potential for improved diagnostic and prognostic applications in various diseases.
Abstract:
A cytokine was first recognized in 1965, and many kinds of cytokines have been found since then. Cytokines are the biologically active substances which are produced in immuno-competent cells, macrophages and monocytes, excluding immunoglobulins. They form complex networks among themselves, and mainly act locally. A single cytokine may have physiological actions to many different cells, while a certain physiological action may be shared by many different cytokines. Some of them could be now quantitated immunochemically by using highly sensitive immunoassays. Therefore, immunoassay of some cytokines may become very important in laboratory medicine.