Dictionary Home »
Dictionary Definitions » interleukin-
interleukin-
(ĭnˈtər-lo͞oˌkĭn-wŭnˈ)
noun Abbr. IL-1 Either of two proteins, released by macrophages and other cells, that induce the production of interleukin-2 by helper T cells and stimulate the inflammatory response.
(ĭnˈtər-lo͞oˌkĭn-to͞oˈ)
noun Abbr. IL-2 A lymphokine that is released by helper T cells in response to an antigen and interleukin-1 and stimulates the proliferation of helper T cells. It has been used experimentally to treat cancer.
(ĭnˈtər-lo͞oˌkĭn-thrēˈ)
noun Abbr. IL-3 A lymphokine, released by helper T cells in response to an antigen or mitogen, that stimulates the growth of blood stem cells and lymphoid cells such as macrophages and mast cells.