CHEMOKINES Meaning and
Definition
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Chemokines are a group of small proteins, typically measuring 8-12 kilodaltons in size, that play a crucial role in cell signaling and immune responses within the body. These proteins are chemotactic cytokines, meaning they can attract specific cells to a particular site or environment.
Chemokines are primarily involved in the immune system's response to infection and inflammation. They act as chemical messengers, facilitating communication between different immune cells. Chemokines are secreted by various cell types, including immune cells and tissues, upon activation by pro-inflammatory signals.
Their main function is to guide immune cells, such as leukocytes or white blood cells, to the site of infection or injury. Chemokines bind to specific receptors expressed on the surface of target cells, activating a signaling cascade that induces migration towards the source of the chemokine. This process is crucial for the recruitment of immune cells to sites of infection or inflammation, enabling a coordinated immune response.
In addition to their role in immune responses, chemokines also contribute to other physiological processes, including tissue development, wound healing, and cancer progression. Dysregulation of chemokine signaling has been implicated in various diseases, such as autoimmune disorders, HIV/AIDS, and cancer metastasis.
Understanding the mechanisms and functions of chemokines has opened up potential therapeutic avenues for manipulating immune responses, inflammation, and tissue repair. Researchers continue to investigate the diverse roles of chemokines in health and disease, aiming to develop targeted therapies to control their actions.
Common Misspellings for CHEMOKINES
- chemookines
- cheemokines
- chemmokines
- Chemokioes
- Chemokinus
- Chemokinms
- Chemokinas
- Chemokings
- Chemokine3
- Chemokinec
- Chemokineq
- Chemokiner
- ch emokines
- che mokines
- chem okines
- chemo kines
- chemok ines
- chemoki nes
- chemokin es
- chemokine s
Etymology of CHEMOKINES
The word "chemokines" has a relatively straightforward etymology derived from combining two terms: "chemotaxis" and "cytokines".
- "Chemotaxis" comes from the Greek words "chemo" meaning "chemical" and "taxis" meaning "arrangement" or "movement". Chemotaxis refers to the process by which cells are attracted or repelled by certain chemical signals in order to migrate towards or away from a specific target.
- "Cytokines" is derived from the Greek words "cyto" meaning "cell" and "kinein" meaning "to move". Cytokines are a group of proteins produced by cells that act as signaling molecules, facilitating communication and coordination between various cells of the immune system.
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