| People living in today’s world are living under | | | | such as bacteria, viruses, and more. However, |
| the constant threat of a very large number of | | | | each virus, disease and bacteria present in the |
| infectious diseases. If as it is not enough that | | | | world today require a different type of antibody |
| these diseases are not easy to diagnose and | | | | and cytokine in order for us to win the battle |
| treat, the infectious diseases of today are | | | | against diseases. If our immune system is |
| constantly adapting and are becoming resistant to | | | | damaged in any way or is not able to produce |
| the available treatments. Factors such as pollution | | | | antibodies and cytokines for a specific disease, we |
| and lack of proper hygiene, in many parts of the | | | | are no longer able to fight off diseases. |
| world, lead to the constant weakening of the | | | | Cytokines are especially important for the |
| immune system in a large number of people. | | | | treatment of diseases because cytokines improve |
| Laboratories are constantly working to find cures | | | | the communication between cells. This good |
| for a number of diseases, but due to the high | | | | communication between the cells within our body |
| adaptability of many virus strains, lab scientists | | | | leads to an increased and correct response from |
| have to fight a constant battle for finding proper | | | | our immune system. Cytokines are secreted by |
| treatments. Another important factor in treating | | | | cells into its immediate environment to |
| the various infectious diseases is finding the | | | | communicate with other cells. Cytokines play an |
| correct diagnosis. A proper diagnosis in conjunction | | | | important role in the immune system because |
| with the correct antibodies and cytokines | | | | there is a lot of communication going on between |
| represent the solution for curing infectious | | | | different immune cells and their environment. |
| diseases. | | | | Cytokines have a short half-life, which means |
| Cytokines are immune system proteins that are | | | | they break down fairly quickly, and they’re |
| produced when our bodies encounters an immune | | | | present in low concentrations. Cytokines can be |
| stimulus. Once induced, cytokines help determine | | | | further differentiated by their individual |
| how the immune system should respond and to | | | | characteristics. Interestingly, cytokines are |
| what degree. Each cytokine binds to a specific | | | | characterized by considerable "redundancy", in that |
| cell-surface receptor. Subsequent cascades of | | | | many cytokines appear to share similar functions. |
| intracellular signalling then alter cell functions. | | | | Cytokines are able to provide, along with a timely |
| Typically, a cytokine either acts in a paracrine | | | | and correct diagnosis, a solid chance for recovery |
| manner to modulate the activity of surrounding | | | | from infectious diseases and viruses. Because of |
| cells, or in an autocrine fashion to affect the cell | | | | the great results being offered by treatments |
| that produced it. | | | | that contain antibodies and cytokines, these two |
| Since infectious diseases are constantly evolving | | | | elements are considered to be, along with other |
| and developing a resistance to current cures, | | | | important elements, the basis for the medicine of |
| medical scientists are constantly advising on the | | | | the future. An early and correct assessment of a |
| importance that an early correct diagnosis over | | | | disease along with right treatments can lead to |
| the success rate of the treatment. We have our | | | | curing any disease. The most common courses of |
| own defense system represented by antibodies | | | | action for fighting various diseases and infections, |
| and cytokines produced by our body, which act | | | | start with the diagnosis. |
| as a defensive system against outside threats | | | | |