Cytokine & Growth Factor Assay

Cytokines and growth factors act within a complex network of proteins that bind specific receptors on their target cells and initiate signaling cascades that regulate a wide range of biological functions. While growth factors trigger cell proliferation or differentiation, cytokines can inhibit or stimulate cellular growth. Cytokines are generally small (5–20kDa) and can signal in an autocrine, paracrine or endocrine manner. Cytokines include interleukins, interferons and chemokines and are especially important in the regulation of the immune system.