We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Cytokine Receptor?

By Victoria Blackburn
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 9,673
Share

Cytokines are small proteins that are secreted by certain cells to regulate immunity and inflammation within the body. They act on their target cells by binding to specific proteins found on the cell membrane, called receptors. Each cytokine can only bind with a specific cytokine receptor, which regulates the activities of both the cytokines and cells being influenced.

There are many different types of cytokines and cytokine receptors. They are categorized based on the type of cell that makes the cytokines and the structure and function of both the cytokine and the cytokine receptor. The largest category of cytokines stimulates the multiplication and differentiation of the different cells involved in an immune response. It is mostly made up of interleukin (IL) cytokines. These cytokines are produced by one type of leukocyte, a type of white blood cell, and activate another leukocyte.

The structure of both the cytokine and the cytokine receptor is highly specific, so only one kind of cytokine can bind to one cytokine receptor. This doesn’t mean that cytokine production and activation is as specific. Some cells produce different types of cytokines, and some target cells have more than one kind of cytokine receptor on their membrane so they can be stimulated by more than one kind of cytokine.

When a cytokine binds to its corresponding receptor, the receptor becomes activated. Usually, this means that a secondary messenger within the cell is stimulated by the cytokine receptor. The secondary messenger then causes the reactions that make the cell change its behavior. Common responses of a cell to cytokine stimulation include increasing or decreasing the expression of protein receptors on the cell membrane, secreting molecules, which could be other cytokines, and cell growth and multiplication.

Cytokine activity can be blocked by antagonist molecules. These molecules can decrease the efficiency of the cytokines in one of two ways. First, the antagonist can bind to the cytokine itself. This in turn will cause the cytokine to change its shape so it can no longer bind to the cytokine receptor. As the cytokine can no longer bind to the receptor molecule, the immune response is halted.

Secondly, antagonists can be a similar, almost identical, shape to the cytokine. When an antagonist is the same shape as a cytokine, then it can bind to the cytokine receptor. When an antagonist binds to the receptor, it then blocks the cytokine from binding there. Although the antagonist is bound to the receptor molecule on the cell membrane surface, it does not activate the receptor so the target cell is not stimulated either.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-cytokine-receptor.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.