interleukin-4

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interleukin-4

[‚in·tər′lük·ən ′fȯr]

(immunology)

A cytokine that is capable of a variety of activities, such as induction of proliferation by T cells, mast cells, megakarocytes, and erythroid precursors; induction of antibody secretion by B cells; and potentiation of the proliferation of mast cells. Abbreviated IL-4.

References in periodicals archive ?

Whether a shortage of interleukin-4 and interleukin-10 sabotages nerve terminals in people is unclear, she says, since the authors of the new study didn't measure all cytokines that might have an effect.

Origins of ache: immune proteins may yield chronic-pain clues

The researchers instructed 22 patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis to inject themselves with interleukin-4 three times a day for 6 weeks.

Injections counteract psoriasis in patients. (Clear Skin)

However, that chain makes cells listen also to the messages carried by interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-7 (IL-7), says Warren J.