Lymphokine

Lymphokines are a collective term for specific cytokines. The original definition of Dumonde (1982) referred to all non -antibody proteins that are produced by activated lymphocytes, and act as intercellular mediators of the immune response, as lymphokines. This definition is problematic in several respects and is rarely used since the 1990s.

Two major classes of compounds which belong to the lymphokines, are the interleukins and interferons. The first lymphokines were identified mid -1960s, with the best studied migration inhibition factor ( MIF) was described simultaneously by John Barry and David Bloom.

Criticism

The problems with Dumondes definition are proteins that are combined with different functions. Many of these lymphokines are produced by cells other than lymphocytes or have other sites of action. Finally, the definition is vertebrate - centric: like proteins in invertebrates being excluded because they are not produced by lymphocytes.