Immunologic messenger molecules: Cytokines, interferons, and chemokines

Cytokines and chemokines are secreted proteins involved in numerous aspects of cell growth, differentiation, and activation. A prominent feature of these molecules is their effect on the immune system with regard to cell trafficking and development of immune tissue and organs. The nature of an immune response determines which cytokines are produced and ultimately whether the response is cytotoxic, humoral, cell mediated, or allergic. For this chapter, cytokines are grouped according to those that are predominantly antigen-presenting cell or T lymphocyte derived; that mediate cytotoxic, humoral, cell mediated, and allergic immunity; or that are immunosuppressive. A discussion of chemokine function and their role in cell trafficking and disease follows.

Key words: Cytokine, chemokine, interferon, antigen-presenting cell, T lymphocyte

Abbreviations used: ABPA, Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, AHR, Airway hyperreactivity, APC, Antigen-presenting cell, APRIL, A proliferation-inducing signal, BAFF, B-cell activation factor from the TNF family, DC, Dendritic cell, Foxp3, Forkhead box protein 3, gp130, Glycoprotein 130, ICAM, Intercellular adhesion molecule, IFNGR, IFN-γ receptor, IL-1ra, IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-2R, IL-2 receptor, IL-4R, IL-4 receptor, IL-5R, IL-5 receptor, IL-6R, IL-6 receptor, IL-10R, IL-10 receptor, IL-12R, IL-12 receptor, IL-13R, IL-13 receptor, IL-17R, IL-17 receptor, IL-20R, IL-20 receptor, IL-22R, IL-22 receptor, IRS, Insulin response element, iTreg, Induced regulatory T, JAK, Janus kinase, MAPK, Mitogen-activated protein kinase, MCP, Monocyte chemoattractant protein, M-CSF, Macrophage colony-stimulating factor, MIP, Macrophage inflammatory protein, NK, Natural killer, nTreg, Natural regulatory T, ROR, Retinoic acid receptor–related orphan receptor, SCF, Stem cell factor, STAT, Signal transducer and activator of transcription, TACI, Transmembrane activator and calcium modulator and cyclophilin ligand interactor, T-bet, T-box expressed in T cells, Treg, Regulatory T, TSLP, Thymic stromal lymphopoietin, VCAM, Vascular cell adhesion molecule