The reason is because they work differently and at a different step of an
inflammatory or immunological reaction. For example, IL-1 and TNF are
cytokines involved in the early phase of an inflammatory reaction, while
IL-6 is produced later and there is evidence that IL-6 might be beneficial
because it induces acute phase proteine production. So many because they are
all classified as molecules released by cells and acting on other cells.
Each of them has a specific charecteristic, there are some that are
chemiotactic, and others that are growth factors. I think that over the time
they will become more and more again!
Carla.
Vicky Anderson ha scritto nel messaggio
<7vhtpm$d88$1 at pegasus.csx.cam.ac.uk>...
>Hello, I am an undergraduate student and I have been set some work on
>cytokines. The only question I can't answer is why there are so many of
>them. Is it to do with evolution or necessary for the way they function?
>None of the books I can find shed any light on the matter.
>>I realise it is a question that is supposed to make me think rather than
>it being nicely avalible in a book, but I don't even know where to start.
>>Can anyone help?
>>Cheers
>>
