Cytokine just means cell signalling molecule
Cyto - cell, kine - movement
and covers a broad range of molecules, but generally excludes hormones and growth factors.
They are not exclusively to immune modulation, there are many other types too.
Cyto - cell, kine - movement
and covers a broad range of molecules, but generally excludes hormones and growth factors.
They are not exclusively to immune modulation, there are many other types too.
But like 99% of the time someone mentions cytokines in an actual conversation they are taking about inflammatory / immune signaling.[1]
Immune cells are far and away the largest class of circulating motile cells, no?
1. https://testdirectory.questdiagnostics.com/test/test-detail/...
Note that it isn't quite the same as literal vs figurative, since nobody's talking about metaphorical or poetic molecules.
______
With love perfuse, pen to paper,
It shall diffuse, sweet as vapor,
Take this letter, mine to thine,
There is no better Cytokine