Is 'interleukin' a countable noun?

Yes, especially when referring to types (e.g., several interleukins, an interleukin).

Do I always need to use a number with 'interleukin'?

No, but it's very common. You can use it generically ("the role of interleukin in inflammation") or with a specific number ("interleukin-10 has anti-inflammatory effects").

What is the difference between an interleukin and a hormone?

Both are signaling molecules. Hormones are typically secreted by glands into the bloodstream to act on distant targets, while interleukins are secreted by immune cells and often act locally on nearby cells.

Where would I encounter this word?

Almost exclusively in medical journals, biology textbooks, pharmaceutical research, and specialized health news related to immunology or new drug therapies.

interleukin

Low (Technical)

UK/ˌɪn.təˈluː.kɪn/US/ˌɪn.tɚˈluː.kɪn/

Technical/Scientific

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

A group of signaling molecules (cytokines) produced by white blood cells that regulate immune responses and inflammation.

Any of a large class of cytokines that act as chemical messengers within the immune system, influencing the growth, activation, and differentiation of immune cells. Different interleukin subtypes (e.g., IL-1, IL-6) have distinct biological functions.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

The term is almost exclusively used in biomedical, immunological, and clinical contexts. It denotes a functional class rather than a single substance, so it is often followed by a number (e.g., interleukin-6).

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant lexical or spelling differences.

Connotations

None beyond the strict scientific definition.

Frequency

Equally low frequency and confined to specialist fields in both varieties.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

interleukin-6interleukin-1interleukin receptorinterleukin levelsinterleukin inhibitorrecombinant interleukin

medium

secrete interleukinproduce interleukinrelease of interleukintarget interleukinelevated interleukin

weak

study interleukinmeasure interleukinrole of interleukin

Grammar

Valency Patterns

interleukin + number (IL-2)to produce/secrete interleukinlevels of interleukininhibition of interleukin

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

IL (abbreviation)

Neutral

cytokinelymphokine

Weak

immune messengersignaling protein

Vocabulary

Antonyms

immunosuppressant (functional antony)

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“No idioms exist for this technical term.”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Rare; might appear in biotech/pharma business reports.

Academic

Common in biomedical, immunological, and medical research literature.

Everyday

Virtually never used.

Technical

The primary context; used in research, clinical diagnostics, and therapy development.

Examples

By CEFR Level

Doctors sometimes check for interleukin in the blood.

The new drug works by blocking a specific interleukin.

Researchers measured interleukin-6 levels in patients with severe inflammation.

The dysregulated secretion of pro-inflammatory interleukins is a hallmark of many autoimmune pathologies.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think INTERacting LEUKocytes (white blood cells). INTER-LEUK-IN: a substance that acts BETWEEN (-inter) white blood cells (leukocytes).

Conceptual Metaphor

Often framed as a "messenger" or "signal" within the body's internal communication network (the immune system).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Avoid translating as "межбелковый" (literally 'between-proteins'). The correct Russian equivalent is "интерлейкин."

Common Mistakes

Misspelling as 'interlukin', 'interluekin'.
Using without a number when a specific type is meant.
Confusing it with 'interferon', another type of cytokine.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

In rheumatoid arthritis, elevated levels of a specific , such as IL-6, contribute to joint inflammation.

Multiple Choice

What is the primary function of interleukins?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Yes, especially when referring to types (e.g., several interleukins, an interleukin).
: No, but it's very common. You can use it generically ("the role of interleukin in inflammation") or with a specific number ("interleukin-10 has anti-inflammatory effects").
: Both are signaling molecules. Hormones are typically secreted by glands into the bloodstream to act on distant targets, while interleukins are secreted by immune cells and often act locally on nearby cells.
: Almost exclusively in medical journals, biology textbooks, pharmaceutical research, and specialized health news related to immunology or new drug therapies.