INTERLEUKINS

Cytokines are small soluble proteins produced by a cell that alter the behaviouror properties of another cell locally or systemically in an autocrine or paracrine manner. They are pleiotropic molecules and most of them are multifunctional. Cytokines are involved in extensive networks that involve synergistic as well as antagonistic interactions and exhibit both negative and positive regulatory effects on various target cells3. These play an important role in numerous biological activities including proliferation, development, differentiation, homoeostasis, regeneration, repair and inflammation. Thus, the investigation of interleukins responses to periodontal diseases is at the forefront of the translational research agenda in oral science.