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I mean… you’re not wrong. That is the strict ontological definition.

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?

Yeah, just to add some handy distinguishing words: Denotation vs. Connotation.

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

lovely