What does lymphokine mean?
A lymphokine is a chemical signaling substance produced by lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell central to the immune system. Such molecules help immune cells communicate and coordinate activities such as cell activation, inflammation, and antibody production. Although some lymphokines have been identified with specific cytokines, the word historically served as a broad descriptive label rather than a precise modern classification. It appears mainly in specialist immunology literature and is less common in contemporary writing, where the broader term cytokine is usually preferred. The word combines the immune-system element lymph- with the Greek-derived suffix -kine, associated with movement or activity, reflecting its role in signaling between cells.
nounA cytokine produced by lymphocytes, especially T cells, that helps coordinate immune responses. The term is now less common than the broader term cytokine.
- A signaling protein or other soluble mediator produced by lymphocytes and involved in communication between immune cells.
"The activated cells released lymphokines that stimulated other immune cells."
"The lymphokine stimulated the production of antibodies by nearby B cells."
"Researchers measured lymphokine release after the lymphocytes were exposed to the antigen."
The plural is lymphokines, formed by adding -s to the end of the word.
"These lymphokines affect the activity of several neighboring immune cells."
A lymphokine is a chemical message sent by a lymphocyte, helping immune cells coordinate their response.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lymphokine come from?
Lymphokine was formed in the mid-20th century by combining lymph-, referring to lymph or lymphocytes, with -kine, a combining form associated with movement and biological activity. The suffix ultimately comes from Greek roots related to motion, while the term reflects the observation that lymphocytes produce soluble substances that influence other cells. It belongs to a family of biomedical terms including cytokine, leukokine, and monokine.
How lymphokine is actually used
The term is specialized and somewhat dated in modern immunology, where cytokine is generally preferred. It is most common in technical and historical scientific writing.
Easily confused with lymphokine
A cytokine is any signaling protein made by cells, whereas a lymphokine is specifically one produced by lymphocytes.
An interleukin is a specific class of cytokines involved in communication between leukocytes; not every interleukin is called a lymphokine.