Cytokines

Abstract

74Cytokines are small glycoprotein mediators that are involved in every facet of immune effector function and regulation, and moreover serve to integrate immune function with other physiologic processes (e.g. metabolism, neurologic function). More than 200 cytokines have been identified. Understanding of the cytokine network has increasing importance in clinical practice with the advent of therapeutic strategies that target particular cytokines with exquisite specificity using biological agents, leading to remarkable advances in the treatment of inflammatory disorders (e.g. anti-TNF therapy in rheumatoid arthritis and anti-IL-17A in psoriasis). The therapeutic potential in their manipulation has not yet been maximized and the future will hold remarkable advances as these molecular networks give up their secrets to provide for highly specific and well-tolerated interventions.