Signaling by Interleukins

Interleukins are low molecular weight proteins that bind to cell surface receptors and act in an autocrine and/or paracrine fashion. They were first identified as factors produced by leukocytes but are now known to be produced by many other cells throughout the body. They have pleiotropic effects on cells which bind them, impacting processes such as tissue growth and repair, hematopoietic homeostasis, and multiple levels of the host defense against pathogens where they are an essential part of the immune system.

白细胞介素是一类低分子量蛋白，能够与细胞表面受体结合，并在自分泌和/或旁分泌的作用下发挥作用。最初，它们被识别为白细胞产生的因子，但现在已知，全身许多其他细胞也能产生它们。它们对与之结合的细胞具有多效性影响，涉及诸如组织生长与修复、造血稳态以及宿主对抗病原体的多层级防御等多个方面，在其中它们是免疫系统不可或缺的组成部分。