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Inflammatory cytokine
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<p>An inflammatory cytokine or proinflammatory cytokine is a type of signaling molecule (a <a href="/facts/Cytokine/SdWpWABH">cytokine</a>) that is secreted from immune cells like <a href="/facts/Helper_T_cell/nhwAYkDj">helper T cells</a> (Th) and <a href="/facts/Macrophage/z7hkQu3o">macrophages</a>, and certain other cell types that promote <a href="/facts/Inflammation/Ura86MIy">inflammation</a>. They include <a href="/facts/Interleukin-1/dSToCWMd">interleukin-1</a> (IL-1), <a href="/facts/Interleukin_6/FVQeAWkt">IL-6</a>, <a href="/facts/Interleukin_12/rCttxoLL">IL-12</a>, and <a href="/facts/Interleukin_18/WIxCeLEk">IL-18</a>, <a href="/facts/Tumor_necrosis_factor/7NWNIaCb">tumor necrosis factor alpha</a> (TNF-α), <a href="/facts/Interferon_gamma/r51CXVph">interferon gamma</a> (IFNγ), and <a href="/facts/Granulocyte-macrophage_colony_stimulating_factor/U15M21QE">granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF)</a> and play an important role in mediating the <a href="/facts/Innate_immune_response/lz4BpSQI">innate immune response</a>. Inflammatory cytokines are predominantly produced by and involved in the upregulation of inflammatory reactions. </p><p>Excessive chronic production of inflammatory cytokines contribute to <a href="/facts/Inflammatory_disease/Ura86MIy">inflammatory diseases</a>, that have been linked to different diseases, such as <a href="/facts/Atherosclerosis/WIS8QQ6v">atherosclerosis</a> and <a href="/facts/Cancer/PVW6n1D0">cancer</a>. Dysregulation has also been linked to <a href="/facts/Mood_disorder/Y0Mjq3QR">depression</a> and other neurological diseases. A balance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines is necessary to maintain health. <a href="/facts/Aging/AxL4qCW4">Aging</a> and <a href="/facts/Exercise/egYQjt8A">exercise</a> also play a role in the amount of inflammation from the release of proinflammatory cytokines. </p><p>Therapies to treat inflammatory diseases include <a href="/facts/Monoclonal_antibody_therapy/kNC6XNuL">monoclonal antibodies</a> that either neutralize inflammatory cytokines or their <a href="/facts/Cytokine_receptor/4wVuJDmm">receptors</a>. </p>