Cytokines, Chemokines and Growth Factors

Cytokines, Chemokines and Growth Factors are proteins which orchestrate cell growth, cell proliferation and differentiation / maturation. While there are a great number and variety of these proteins, each is capable of promoting its own set of biological effects, from specific to broadly overlapping activities. Cytokines are secreted proteins that play a role in both the induction and effector phases of all immune and inflammatory responses, including cell proliferation, intercellular communication, and cell death. Chemokines are small cytokines which attract and recruit other cells into a localized area to exert their biologic effects. Growth factors include both cytokines and protein hormones, which stimulate proliferation as well as differentiation and maturation of responsive cells.