when a group of proteins such as interferons and interleukins are released by the t cells, intercellular signals begin the immune response, what is the medical term used for the group of proteins?
one of a large group of low-molecular-weight proteins secreted by various cell types and involved in cell-to-cell communication, coordinating antibody and T cell immune interactions, and amplifying immune reactivity. Cytokines include colony-stimulating factors, interferons, interleukins, and lymphokines, which are secreted by lymphocytes.