title: A primer on cytokines: sources, receptors, effects, and inducers.
abstract: Protection against pathogens is a prerequisite for survival of most organisms. To cope with this continuous challenge, complex defense mechanisms have evolved. The construction, adaptation, and maintenance of these mechanisms are under control of an extensive network of regulatory proteins called cytokines. A great number of cytokines have been described over the last 2 decades. This review consists of an overview of cytokines that are involved in immune responses and describes some historical and general aspects as well as prospective clinical applications. Major biological effects together with information on cytokine receptors, producers, inducers, and biochemical and molecular characteristics are listed in tables. In addition, some basic information is given on cytokine receptor signal transduction. Finally, the recent discoveries of cytokine receptors functioning as coreceptors in the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus are summarized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands. J.CURFS@MMB.AZN.NL
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Curfs
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Meis
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hoogkamp-Korstanje
mesh_terms: D018925:Chemokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007372:Interferons / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D007378:Interleukins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D018925:Chemokines; D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors; D016207:Cytokines; D007378:Interleukins; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007372:Interferons