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Cytokines

Meaning

Cytokines are a heterogeneous group of small, non-antibody proteins, peptides, or glycoproteins secreted by various cells, predominantly immune cells, which function as essential intercellular messengers to regulate immunity, inflammation, and hematopoiesis. These potent signaling molecules, which include interleukins, chemokines, and interferons, coordinate the body’s complex response to infection, tissue injury, and psychological stress. In the context of hormonal health, cytokines represent a critical communication link between the immune and endocrine systems, as chronic elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines can disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary axes and drive systemic hormonal dysregulation, such as central hypogonadism or insulin resistance. They are the key molecular mediators of the inflammatory state.