Cytokines are proteins produced by white blood cells that regulate the immune system’s response to infections. They can stimulate the production of T cells to fight infections and regulate growth hormones. Researchers are attempting to produce cytokines in laboratories to restore damaged immune systems. Overstimulation of cytokines can cause joint inflammation, fever, and pain.
As proteins produced by white blood cells, cytokines perform several important functions that allow the body to function at optimal levels. They are often created in response to the presence of some sort of bacterial infection. White blood cells release proteins which then function as neurotransmitters to carry messages throughout the nervous system. There are actually several types of cytokines, including lumphokin, interleukins, and interferons.
Since cytokines are essentially chemical messengers, they can help regulate the nature and intensity of the body’s immune system response. Taking cues from the signals transmitted by these proteins, the immune system would be able to stimulate the production of chemicals needed to fight infections and take other steps to suppress the spread of harmful bacteria.
An example of how cytokines affect the immune system is that the stimulation of these proteins can cause the immune system to temporarily increase the production of T cells to fight an infection, then signal that the excess production ceases when the bacteria are kept under control. As signaling compounds, cytokines keep cell communication functioning at all times.
Hormones are another important aspect of cytokine function. Regulating growth hormones is an important part of maintaining balanced health, and protein does its part to make sure that an acceptable growth rate occurs, without creating problems that could cause your endocrine systems to malfunction. Peptides in the bloodstream help maintain balance, carrying the appropriate messages and responses back and forth through the system.
Because of the role cytokines play in the battle against infections, researchers are attempting to produce them in laboratories. The basis of the research has to do with treating people whose immune systems have been compromised by HIV-related circumstances. Replicating the conditions for HIV and then artificially stimulating cytokine production may lead to options that will ultimately help restore the productivity of damaged immune systems.
Although cytokines are an essential process within the body, they can also produce some unwanted side effects. Their overstimulation can lead to joint inflammation, fever, and a general sense of pain that can come and go. Generally, the side effects are short-lived and will subside quickly as protein production decreases.
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