interleukin
noun
in·ter·leu·kin
ˌin-tər-ˈlü-kən 
: any of various cytokines of low molecular weight that are produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and monocytes and that function especially in regulation of the immune system and especially cell-mediated immunity
—often used with an identifying number —abbreviation IL
see also interleukin-1, interleukin-2, interleukin-6
Examples of interleukin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These include nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukin 6.
—
Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 23 Sep. 2024
In ulcerative colitis, the main interleukins that cause inflammation are IL-12 and IL-23.
—Phuoc Anh (anne) Nguyen, Pharmd, Ms, Verywell Health, 17 July 2024
For example, when triggered, blood samples from smokers (current and former) released more signaling proteins called interleukins than the blood of nonsmokers—a warning sign that their white blood cells were kicking into overdrive.
—Celia Ford, WIRED, 14 Feb. 2024
Some compounds found in colostrum include lactoferrin, lymphocytes, leukocytes, interleukins, growth factors, fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
—Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 13 Feb. 2024
Diet Certain nutrients can help to fight chronic inflammation by counteracting inflammatory proteins like C-reactive protein, interleukins (like IL-1 or IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a).
—Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 26 Apr. 2023
High levels of inflammatory markers like interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor inhibit the natural rhythm of the sleep-wake cycle, Wirth says.
—Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 18 Mar. 2023
Doctors treated him with interleukin inhibitors to slow inflammation, along with the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine and the antibiotic azithromycin.
—New York Times, 29 Apr. 2020
Fortuity was behind the idea of tocilizumab: When Emily Whitehead, the first child to receive CAR-T, developed cytokine release syndrome, her medical team noted that her blood contained high levels of a cytokine called interleukin 6.
—Ilana Yurkiewicz, Smithsonian, 26 Oct. 2019
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 23 Sep. 2024
In ulcerative colitis, the main interleukins that cause inflammation are IL-12 and IL-23.
—Phuoc Anh (anne) Nguyen, Pharmd, Ms, Verywell Health, 17 July 2024
For example, when triggered, blood samples from smokers (current and former) released more signaling proteins called interleukins than the blood of nonsmokers—a warning sign that their white blood cells were kicking into overdrive.
—Celia Ford, WIRED, 14 Feb. 2024
Some compounds found in colostrum include lactoferrin, lymphocytes, leukocytes, interleukins, growth factors, fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
—Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 13 Feb. 2024
Diet Certain nutrients can help to fight chronic inflammation by counteracting inflammatory proteins like C-reactive protein, interleukins (like IL-1 or IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a).
—Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 26 Apr. 2023
High levels of inflammatory markers like interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor inhibit the natural rhythm of the sleep-wake cycle, Wirth says.
—Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 18 Mar. 2023
Doctors treated him with interleukin inhibitors to slow inflammation, along with the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine and the antibiotic azithromycin.
—New York Times, 29 Apr. 2020
Fortuity was behind the idea of tocilizumab: When Emily Whitehead, the first child to receive CAR-T, developed cytokine release syndrome, her medical team noted that her blood contained high levels of a cytokine called interleukin 6.
—Ilana Yurkiewicz, Smithsonian, 26 Oct. 2019
Dictionary Entries Near interleukin
Cite this Entry
“Interleukin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interleukin. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
interleukin
noun
in·ter·leu·kin
ˌin-tər-ˈlü-kən
: any of various compounds of low molecular weight that are produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and monocytes and that function especially in regulation of the immune system and especially cell-mediated immunity
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share