HealthAugust 30, 2026
cytokine
SY-koh-kyn
Definition
A type of signaling protein secreted by immune cells that regulates the intensity and duration of the immune response, which can cause symptoms like fever or inflammation when released in large quantities.
Etymology
The word is a 20th-century coinage derived from the Greek roots 'cyto-' (cell) and 'kine' (movement or activation), describing proteins that help cells communicate.
In the news
In the article, the term refers to cytokine release syndrome, a side effect observed during the clinical trial where the immune system's signaling response triggered mild-to-moderate inflammatory reactions.
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Read the full article ↗Science Daily