Definition of lymphokine in English:
lymphokine
nounˈlɪmfə(ʊ)kʌɪnˈlimfəˌkīn
Physiology A substance of a type produced by lymphocytes and having an effect on other cells of the immune system.
Example sentencesExamples
- After contact with an antigen, T cells secrete lymphokines - a group of proteins that do not interact with the antigens themselves, instead they stimulate the activity of other cells.
- Cytokines that are secreted from lymphocytes are termed lymphokines, whereas those secreted by monocytes or macrophages are termed monokines.
- Antigen expression can be augmented by concomitant treatment with lymphokines if necessary, which facilitates antibody recognition of the target cancer cell.
- Over the six-month period, analysis revealed omega - 3 supplementation significantly reduced the number of circulating NK cells and lymphokine activated killer cells when compared to the placebo group.
- Conversely, asthma is characterized by the presence of numerous inflammatory mediators, including leukotrienes, prostaglandins, histamine, eosinophilic basic proteins, and lymphokines.
Origin
1960s: from lympho- + Greek kinein 'to move'.