ABSTRACT
Over the last two decades, researchers have witnessed an explosion in cytokine biology. Biomedical researchers have tried to isolate and characterize selected molecules associated with specifi c biological activities and disease states. However, years of investigation have led to the description of mediators with a diverse range of actions on a variety of cell types. Cytokines are potent, low-molecular-weight protein cell
regulators, produced transiently and locally by numerous cell types. Today, we recognize that cytokines are multifunctional proteins whose biological properties suggest a key role in hematopoiesis, immunity, infectious disease, tumorigenesis, homeostasis, tissue repair, cellular development, and growth.1-4 This review will focus on the production and activities of cytokines with special emphasis on their clinical application.
