lymphokine
|lym-pho-kine|
C2
/ˈlɪmfəˌkaɪn/
immune response mediator
Etymology
Etymology Information
'lymphokine' originates from the Greek word 'lympho-' meaning 'lymph' and '-kine' meaning 'movement'.
Historical Evolution
'Lymphokine' was coined in the 20th century to describe substances produced by lymphocytes.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to any substance affecting cell movement, but now it specifically refers to those produced by lymphocytes.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a substance produced by lymphocytes that affects other cells, especially in the immune response.
Lymphokines play a crucial role in regulating the immune system.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45