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British Medical Bulletin 43:350-370 (1987)
© 1987 The British Council

research-article

Cytokines as inflammatory mediators

M E J Billingham

Lilly Research Centre Ltd, Eli Lilly and Co Erl Wood Manor, Windlesham, Surrey GU20 6PH

Abstract

Since the early 1960s when Willoughby and his colleagues were attempting to isolate and characterise the lymph node permeability factor, several polypeptides which exercise a major influence on the inflammatory process, and defence mechanisms in general, have been identified, characterised and even gene-cloned for recombinant products. Interleukin 1, produced by a variety of cell types and tumour necrosis factor, produced mainly by lymphocytes and macrophages, are the most relevant of these polypeptide mediators which are collectively termed cytokines. This review describes their biochemical properties and production, and details their biological properties and functions in the context of a pivotal role in defence mechanisms, of which inflammation is just one part. Certain of the biological properties suggest a considerable potential in mediation of the chronicity of connective tissue diseases; this is discussed in relation to the control of release and activity of these potent molecules.


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