Interleukin

Interleukins are a group of cytokinesthat are expressed by white blood cells(leukocytes, hence the -leukin) as a means of communication (inter-). The function of the immune systemdepends in a large part on interleukins, and raredeficiencies of a number of them have been described, all featuring autoimmune diseasesor immune deficiency.

A list of interleukins with function:

• IL-1: secreted by macrophages, induces acute phase reaction
• IL-2: secreted by T cells, stimulates growth and differentiation of T cell response. Can be used in immunotherapyto treat cancer.
• IL-3: secreted by T cells, stimulates bone marrow stem cells.
• IL-4: involved in proliferation of B cells, and the development of T cellsand mast cells. Important role in allergicresponses.
• IL-5: role in stimulation of B cells, eosinophil production, IgA production
• IL-6: secreted by macrophages, induces acute phase reaction
• IL-7: involved in B, T and NK cell survival, development and homeostasis
• IL-8: Neutrophil chemotaxis
• IL-9: stimulates mast cells
• IL-10: inhibits Th1 cytokine production
• IL-11: acute phase proteinproduction
• IL-12: NK cellstimulation, Th1 cells induction
• IL-13: Stimulates growth and differentiation of B-Cells, inhibits Th1 cells and the production of macrophage inflammatory cytokines
• IL-17: Induces production of inflammatory cytokines
• IL-18: Induces production of Interferon-Gamma (IFNy)

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It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interleukin Wikipedia article Interleukin.