Introduction to Cytokines as Targets for Immunomodulation

Cytokines play a key role in modulation of immune responses. Cytokine networks regulate lymphocyte turnover, differentiation, and activation. Many different cell types, in addition to immune cells, produce cytokines and express receptors for cytokines. Cell-to-cell communication (cellular “crosstalk”) is maintained via cytokine networks. In disease, these networks undergo imbalance. By measuring amplification or downregulation of cytokine signaling cascades in response to pathological insults or therapeutic interventions, it might be possible to evaluate disease progression or regression. Multiplex formats for cytokine profiling are now available and appear to be especially useful in monitoring cytokine profile alterations in a variety of human diseases.