Cytokines comprise a group of small proteins released from cells in order to influence the
function of other cells. By binding to highly specific cell-surface receptors, they trigger a vast
array of intracellular signalling cascades. Cytokines have been described as interleukins,
growth factors, interferons and chemokines. Unlike hormones, which act in a similar way,
cytokines are produced by many different types of cell and act on many other types. Most of
them are produced only after certain stimuli. The most intense field of cytokine activity is …