Cytokines and chemokines

Abstract

Cytokines are soluble mediators (polypeptides) that act as messengers of the immune system. Cytokines are critical in fundamental processes such as host defense, cell cycle control, inflammation, cancer, fibrosis, wound healing, and angiogenesis. Cytokines and chemokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of skin diseases, and are now being targeted by specific biologic agents produced by recombinant DNA technology. Chemokines are a structurally diverse collection of bioactive molecules that include lipids, peptides, and small proteins of several classes. Chemokines play a critical role in the pathogenesis wound healing, scarring of cell trafficking, cancer and inflammatory skin disorders. © 2008 Springer London.