cytokinedriven

Cytokinedriven is a term used in immunology and pathophysiology to describe biological processes, phenotypes, or therapeutic effects that are predominantly governed by cytokine signaling. Cytokines are small secreted proteins that mediate communication between immune and nonimmune cells, coordinating inflammation, cell recruitment, differentiation, and tissue repair. In cytokine-driven processes, the activity of one or more cytokines or cytokine families—such as IL-6, TNF, IL-1, interferons—dominates the behavior of cells within a tissue or organism.

Researchers assess cytokine-driven activity by measuring cytokine concentrations in blood or tissue, profiling receptor expression, and evaluating downstream signaling and functional responses, such as STAT activation or cytokine production in response to stimuli. Clinically, many inflammatory, infectious, and autoimmune conditions are described as cytokine-driven, and therapies often target the responsible cytokine or its signaling pathway. Examples include anti-TNF therapies for rheumatoid arthritis, IL-6 inhibitors for systemic inflammatory states, and JAK inhibitors that block multiple cytokine signals.

Examples of cytokine-driven biology include IL-6–mediated hyperinflammation in cytokine storms, TNF-driven synovitis, IFN-driven antiviral responses, and IL-17–mediated psoriatic inflammation. However, cytokine networks are complex, with redundancy and pleiotropy, so the term does not imply an exclusive role for a single cytokine.

Understanding whether a process is cytokine-driven informs experimental design, biomarker selection, and therapeutic strategy. Related concepts include cytokine signaling, cytokine storm, inflammation, immunotherapy, and JAK-STAT pathways.