Cytokines

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction to cytokines Structure of cytokine families IL-1 superfamily IL-6 family IL-10 family Common γ-chain family IL-12 family Interferons TNF ligand superfamily Growth factors Functional classification Th1 versus Th2 Th17, immunopathology and regulatory cytokines Cytokine receptor signalling Type I and type II cytokine receptors The JAK/STAT signalling pathway IL-2 signalling through the JAK/STAT pathway The JAK/STAT pathway is also used by IL-6 Plasticity in type I cytokine signalling Suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) IFN-γ signalling pathway TGF-β and the SMAD signalling pathway Type III cytokine receptors and the TNF receptor family The IKK complex and the activation of NF-κB The IL-1R family of type IV cytokine receptors activate NF-κB Soluble cytokine receptors act as decoy receptors IL-33 and ST2 signal regulation Potential for cytokine therapy Summary