Many CKs and their antagonists can be used in the treatment of many diseases (such as cancer, infection, autoimmune diseases) and to promote hemopoiesis, etc.
General properties of CKs
Small proteins (MW: approx. 8-30 KD) Extremely potent, acting at 10-9~10-15M The production is transient and tightly regulated Autocrine, paracrine or endocrine Cytokine actions: Pleiotropy, Redundancy, Synergy
4) Antagonism
Two or more cytokines work against each other (IL-4 and IFN-)
The cytokine network:
Many cytokines have multiple functions and apparent redundancy of actions forming a complex communication network.
Interleukin, IL
Cytokines produced by leukocytes and act on leukocytes
IL-1~35 IL-2, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15 constitute common chain family IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13 (Th2 type) IL-8 (belongs to chemokine family) IL-10 (Tr type) IL-11 (stimulator of platelets) IL-12 (DC, macrophages, directs Th1)