Recombinant Interleukin

**Semantic type:** Chemical Viewed Functionally

**Definition:** Formulated therapeutic analogs of one of a number of endogenous cytokine interleukins. Produced by T cells, macrophages, and other cells, interleukins bind to a specific surface receptor on immunohematopoietic cells, thereby inducing a multitude of biologic effects including stimulation of growth, differentiation, and proliferation of lymphocytes and eosinophils; activation of lymphocytes and macrophages; enhancement of mast cell activity; activation of the acute phase response; and stimulation of hematopoiesis. Some interleukins may enhance the host's immune response to malignant cells by stimulating lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), which are capable of lysing some tumor cells. (NCI04)

**Synonyms:** - Interleukins