For the specialist...

Cytokines belong to a large group of polypeptide- or glycopeptide signaling molecules that act at extremely low concentrations as regulators of cell growth and essential mediators of inflammation and immune reactions. The production and functions of cytokines are tightly regulated by cytokines themselves and by several other factors. Most cytokines act locally, but some of the clinically most important cytokines also act systemically as pleiotropic hormones with overlapping and potentially dangerous functions (immunoinflammatory cytokines).

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