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[Home] [Cytokines] [Description] [Features & Philosophy] [Comparison] |
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[Class I] [Class II] [What is a Chemokine] [Chemokine Receptor Family] |
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"Cytokine" is a word that comes from cyto- a combining form meaning "cell" - and -kinin - a combining form used in naming hormones, especially peptide hormones (e.g., bradykinin). Nomenclature has always been a problem because these factors were originally named for the activity that they described. This resulted in a large number of three or four or occasionally five letter acronyms. The idea that the "interleukin" - between leukocytes - designation would simplify nomenclature has not proved to be the case. A review in 1979 by Byron Waksman listed almost 100 apparently distinct activities. At the time no one knew whether these represented distinct cytokines or a few cytokines with multiple activities. The answer is: some of both! It was the application of molecular technology that allowed us to determine that some cytokines had multiple activities and that different cytokines had similar overlapping activities but it also led to the discovery of even more cytokines. Nomenclature continues to be a problem. For example there are now 33 interleukins. New cytokines are still being identified and most are still being named based on their biological activities.
EVOLUTION OF CYTOKINE CONCEPT: I EVOLUTION OF CYTOKINE CONCEPT: II EVOLUTION OF CYTOKINE CONCEPT: III EVOLUTION OF CYTOKINE CONCEPT: IV EVOLUTION OF CYTOKINE CONCEPT: V
While this may appear somewhat facetious, it underscores the widening changes in the cytokine concept that have occurred over the years. |
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[Home] [Cytokines] [Description] [Features & Philosophy] [Comparison] |
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[Class I] [Class II] [What is a Chemokine] [Chemokine Receptor Family] |
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Pathology Course Menu | Pathology | NJMed P.C. | NJMS | Search | UMDNJ |
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Please direct questions and coments to Alexander G. Izaguirre izaguial@umdnj.edu |
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