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Paracrine Mediators

Meaning

Paracrine mediators are signaling molecules, including growth factors, cytokines, and certain hormones, that are secreted by a cell and primarily act upon neighboring cells within the immediate local tissue environment. Unlike endocrine hormones, which travel through the bloodstream to distant targets, paracrine factors exert their influence over short distances through interstitial fluid. This localized communication system is crucial for coordinating complex tissue functions such as wound healing, immune response, and the regulation of local vascular tone. In endocrinology, the paracrine signaling within the pancreatic islets or adipose tissue is vital for metabolic homeostasis.