Cytokine (inflammatory mediator)

Cytokines are a large family of small secreted proteins that act as **signaling molecules** in the immune system. They are released by various cells—primarily immune cells such as macrophages and helper T cells—in response to infection, injury, or other stimuli. **Inflammatory mediators** is an umbrella term that includes not only cytokines but also prostaglandins and leukotrienes; however, "cytokines/inflammatory mediators" is not itself a single molecular target but rather refers collectively to many different molecules involved in regulating inflammation[5]. Key **pro-inflammatory cytokines** include interleukin‑1 (IL‑1), interleukin‑6 (IL‑6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (**TNF–α**), interferon gamma (**IFNγ**), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (**GM-CSF**) and others. These molecules coordinate the body's defense against pathogens by promoting recruitment and activation of immune cells at sites of infection or injury. While essential for host defense and tissue repair during acute responses, chronic overproduction leads to diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration, sepsis—and even cancer due to persistent tissue damage[1][4]. Therapeutic strategies often involve monoclonal antibodies that neutralize specific pro-inflammatory cytokines or block their receptors—for example anti-TNF drugs for autoimmune diseases—or use receptor antagonists like IL–1RA. However, because these therapies suppress parts of the immune system’s normal function they can increase susceptibility to infections[2]. Because "cytokines/inflammatory mediators" refers broadly to many different molecules rather than one defined target protein/receptor/gene product—and because it combines two overlapping but distinct categories—the entry is considered too generic/unspecific for structured drug-target mapping. > “An inflammatory cytokine is a type of signaling molecule...that promotes inflammation...They include interleukin‐1 (IL‐1), IL‐12...tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α)...and play an important role in mediating the innate immune response.” [1] > “Inflammatory mediators are substances released by cells in the immune system that help modulate inflammation…such as cytokines…prostaglandins…and histamine.” [5]

Other names

pro-inflammatory cytokineinflammatory cytokineinflammatory mediatorproinflammatory cytokineimmune signaling molecule

Neutralization of specific cytokines or blockade of their receptors to reduce pathological inflammation