cytokinesignalen

Cytokinesignalen is the process by which cytokines—small secreted proteins—bind to specific receptors on target cells to regulate biological responses. It is central to immune communication, inflammation, tissue repair, and development.

Cytokines include interleukins, interferons, tumor necrosis factors, and chemokines. They can act in autocrine, paracrine, or endocrine fashions, affecting the same cell that released them, neighboring cells, or distant organs.

Most cytokine receptors activate intracellular signaling cascades such as JAK-STAT, MAPK, NF-κB, or PI3K-Akt pathways. Receptor engagement leads to changes in gene expression and functional responses like cytokine production, cell proliferation, or migration.

Physiological roles include shaping immune responses, promoting hematopoiesis, guiding cell differentiation, and regulating inflammation and tissue repair. Signaling is tightly controlled by receptor expression, antagonist molecules, and feedback loops.

Dysregulation of cytokinesignalen contributes to disease, including autoimmune disorders, allergies, chronic inflammation, and cytokine storms in severe infections. In cancer, cytokine signaling can influence tumor growth and the immune microenvironment. Targeted therapies include monoclonal antibodies against cytokines or receptors and small-molecule inhibitors of JAK kinases.

Researchers study cytokine signaling with methods such as ELISA or multiplex cytokine assays to quantify cytokines, flow cytometry to assess receptor expression, and gene expression analyses to monitor downstream effects.