Cytokines (including IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 & TNF-alpha)

Cytokines are a broad category of small, secreted proteins (typically 5–30 kDa) that play essential roles in cell signaling, particularly within the immune system. They act as intercellular messengers to regulate inflammation, immunity, and hematopoiesis by binding to specific receptors on target cells. Cytokines include several families such as interleukins (ILs), tumor necrosis factors (TNFs), chemokines, and interferons. They serve as biomarkers for disease progression/severity—especially inflammatory disorders—and are targets for therapeutic intervention using monoclonal antibodies or receptor antagonists in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or sepsis. Dysregulation contributes significantly to pathology when dysregulated—including autoimmunity and chronic inflammatory diseases.

Other names

Interleukins (ILs)Tumor Necrosis Factors (TNFs)ChemokinesInterferonsIL-6IL-10IL-12TNF-alpha

Cytokine modulation via monoclonal antibodies or receptor antagonists