Cytokines (cyto, from Greek "κύτος '' kytos "cavity, cell '' + kines, from Greek "κίνηση '' kinisi "movement '') are a broad and loose category of small proteins (~ 5 -- 20 kDa) that are important in cell signaling. Their release has an effect on the behavior of cells around them. It can be said that cytokines are involved in autocrine signalling, paracrine signalling and endocrine signalling as immunomodulating agents. Their definite distinction from hormones is still part of ongoing research. Cytokines include chemokines, interferons, interleukins, lymphokines, and tumour necrosis factors but generally not hormones or growth factors (despite some overlap in the terminology). Cytokines are produced by a broad range of cells, including immune cells like macrophages, B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes and mast cells, as well as endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and various stromal cells; a given cytokine may be produced by more than one type of cell.
what are the main sources of immune system cytokines
macrophages B lymphocytes T lymphocytes mast cells endothelial cells fibroblasts stromal cells