Table 2 Overview of six groups of cytokines

Interleukin (IL)

Large number of cytokines named with a numeric suffix roughly in the order of discovery or molecular characterization.

[91]

Interferon (IFN)

Named for their function to interfere with viral infection, inhibiting viral replication within host cells.

[92]

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily

Structurally homologous transmembrane proteins that typically form homotrimers.

[73]

Transforming growth factor (TGF) superfamily

Involved in both tumor development and dissemination.

[93]

Colony-stimulating factor (CSF)

Stimulate proliferation and expansion of bone marrow progenitor cells, leading to formation of erythrocytes, granulocytes, monocytes and lymphocytes.

[94]

Chemokine

Structurally homologous, low-molecular weight cytokines that promote movement and migration of all immune cells between blood and tissue.

[95]