title: Cytokine therapeutics for infectious diseases.
abstract: Cytokines are potent molecules, which function as growth factors and orchestrate both innate and adaptive immune responses. Over the last two decades the number of molecules in this class have greatly expanded, and as the biology of these factors is better understood, several of these factors have entered the clinical arena to support or augment components of the immune response. Recently the use of cytokines/growth factors has been studied in patients without a defective immune system but either have significant infection or infection with drug resistant organisms. The use of cytokines as adjuvants in the treatment of infectious diseases is reviewed both in the context of protein and gene-based therapies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, TN, USA.
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kolls
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D016207:Cytokines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D016207:Cytokines