interleukin

in·ter·leu·kin

 (ĭn′tər-lo͞o′kĭn)

n.

Any of various small proteins that are produced by a variety of cell types, especially T cells and other white blood cells, and that regulate many aspects of inflammation and the immune response, including stimulating the production of white blood cells and platelets.

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[inter- + leuk(o)- + -in.]

interleukin

(ˌɪntəˈluːkɪn)

n

(Biochemistry) a substance extracted from white blood cells that stimulates their activity against infection and may be used to combat some forms of cancer

in•ter•leu•kin

(ˈɪn tərˌlu kɪn)
n.

any of a family of small proteins that participate in the body's defense system, esp. by promoting the growth and activation of white blood cells.

[1979; inter- + leuk (ocyte) + -in¹; so called because such proteins act as agents of communication between different populations of leukocytes]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

interleukin - any of several lymphokines that promote macrophages and killer T cells and B cells and other components of the immune system lymphokine - a cytokine secreted by helper T cells in response to stimulation by antigens and that acts on other cells of the immune system (as by activating macrophages)