Interleukins (ILs)
Interleukins are a group of cytokines that were first seen to be expressed by white blood cells (leukocytes). They play a wide variety of roles in the immune system.
IL-1 – Promotes inflammation and is involved in a variety of immune responses.
IL-2 – Stimulates the growth of T cells and is important for the adaptive immune response.
IL-4 – Promotes the differentiation of naive helper T cells (Th0) to Th2 cells and is involved in the stimulation of B cells.
IL-6 – Plays a role in inflammation and the maturation of B cells.
IL-10 – Anti-inflammatory cytokine that regulates immune response by inhibiting the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
IL-12 – Induces the differentiation of T cells into Th1 cells and stimulates the production of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ).
IL-17 – Involved in the regulation of immune responses and inflammation, particularly in autoimmune diseases.
Interferons (IFNs)
Interferons are proteins that have antiviral effects and modulate the immune response.
IFN-α (Alpha) – Produced by leukocytes and has antiviral and antiproliferative properties.
IFN-β (Beta) – Produced by fibroblasts and has antiviral activity.
IFN-γ (Gamma) – Produced by T cells and natural killer (NK) cells and is important for innate and adaptive immunity against viral and intracellular bacterial infections and for tumor control.
Tumor Necrosis Factors (TNFs)
TNFs are a group of cytokines that can cause cell death (apoptosis).
TNF-α (Alpha) – Promotes inflammation and can induce fever and apoptotic cell death, and inhibit tumorigenesis and viral replication.
TNF-β (Beta) – Also known as lymphotoxin, it is involved in the regulation of immune responses and inflammation.
Colony-Stimulating Factors (CSFs)
CSFs stimulate the growth and differentiation of immature leukocytes in the bone marrow.
Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) – Stimulates the production of neutrophils.
Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) – Stimulates the production of granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils) and monocytes.
Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (M-CSF) – Stimulates the production of macrophages.
Chemokines
Chemokines are a family of small cytokines that induce chemotaxis in nearby responsive cells.
CCL2 (MCP-1) – Attracts monocytes, memory T cells, and dendritic cells to sites of tissue injury and infection.
CXCL8 (IL-8) – Attracts neutrophils and other granulocytes to sites of infection and is involved in inflammation.
Growth Factors
Growth factors are cytokines that stimulate cell proliferation and differentiation.
Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β) – Regulates cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. It has immunosuppressive properties.
Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) – Stimulates cell growth and division, especially in blood vessels.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) – Stimulates the formation of blood vessels.