Sites about the defense mechanism of the body which are dependent on the humoral aspects of immunity
as compared to the cell-mediated aspects which secrete Cytokines.
Sites may include the mechanisms of interaction of antibody with antigen, as well as the cascade sequence that this invokes, through the complement system.
Sites may describe the molecular structure of antibodies, their classification and problems associated with their synthesis, such as the glycosylation of recombinant
proteins, to mimic mammalian species, but are produced in plant cell host, "Plantibodies".
A large class of glycoproteins similar to lymphokines but produced by non-lymphocytic cells such as normal macrophages, fibroblasts, keratinocytes and a variety of transformed cell lines. The most well known cytokines are the interferon (IFN) and interleukins (IL-1, IL-6). They were discovered through their role in regulating immunological and inflammatory and repair processes. However, they also regulate normal cell growth and differentiation.
Cytokines are analagous to hormones in their intercellular regulatory functions at very low concentrations, but are not produced by glands. [see Endocrinology]
Hence, some discovered by their action, rather than their chemical structure, have been named Growth_Factors, and yet these function throughout life, eg. to stimulate the endothelial cells to express 'selectins' on the internal surfaces of blood vessels, causing leukocytes to adhere, then be removed from circulation between endothelial cells.
Companies selling cytokines will only be allowed one entry in the Science section of the directory, so do not submit here unless Cytokines are your speciality!
Reagents, kits and commercial services specifically for immunological research and immunochemistry.
Specialist companies only:
If the site has a broader market, consider submitting to a sub-category of Biochemistry and Molecular_Biology:Products_and_Services instead.
(Duplicate submissions will be deleted).