EYRAplex: Human In vitro cytokine release (8‑plex)

Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) can be secreted by T cells, macrophages, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. GM-CSF stimulates the survival and functional activities of myeloid, that is, monocytes, macrophages, DCs, neutrophils, and eosinophils. It also stimulates the differentiation and proliferation of hematological progenitors.

Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) is the only type II interferon. This proinflammatory cytokine is secreted by activated T cells and NK cells. It activates macrophages and endothelial cells and regulates immune responses by affecting APCs, T cells, and B cells. Production of IFN-γ by helper T cells and cytotoxic T cells is a hallmark of the Th1-type phenotype. Thus, high-level production of IFN-γ is typically associated with effective host defense against intracellular pathogens.

Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is predominantly produced by activated T cells. IL-2 promotes the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of antigen-activated T cells and NK cells. After antigen stimulation, the cytokine also promotes the differentiation of T cells into effector and memory T cells. Therefore IL-2 plays an important role in the body's response to infection. IL-2 is also key to tolerance, as it promotes the differentiation of certain immature T cells into regulatory T cells in the thymus, ultimately preventing autoimmune diseases. 

Interleukin 4 (IL-4) is produced primarily by Th2 cells, mast cells, eosinophils, and basophils. IL-4 was first identified to costimulate B cell growth; the cytokine is essential for B cell secretion of IgE and augments the production of IgG1 in vivo. In addition to regulating B cell growth and immunoglobulin secretion, IL-4 also affects T cells. In vitro, IL-4 promotes T cell growth and can induce cytolytic T cell activity. IL-4 also induces the differentiation of naive CD4 T cells into Th2 cells, which are characterized by their capacity to secrete the cytokines IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 upon activation, while simultaneously inhibiting the generation of Th1 cells.

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine produced by many different cell types and plays a role in a wide range of functions, such as immune responses, acute-phase reactions, and hematopoiesis. Among other things, it augments antibody production from activated B cells in vitro.

Interleukin 8 (IL-8) is a proinflammatory cytokine produced by different types of cells, including monocytes, macrophages, and endothelial cells. Inflammatory stimuli, such as LPS, strongly induce IL-8 production by monocytes.

Interleukin 10 (IL-10) is a pleiotropic cytokine produced by activated T cells and monocytes. It can modulate the functions of immune responses in both a stimulatory and an inhibitory way. IL-10 is thereby involved in the regulation of immune reactions and inflammatory responses.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), also known as TNF-α, is produced by many different cell types, e.g., monocytes, macrophages, T cells, and B cells. Among the many effects of TNF-α are protection against bacterial infection, cell growth modulation, immune system regulation, and involvement in septic shock.