インターロイキン
解説 Definition
interleukin は、免疫細胞の間で情報を伝えるタンパク質の一種で、「インターロイキン」という意味です。日本語のカタカナ語とほぼ同じ医学・生物学用語で、IL-6 など番号を付けて種類を示すことがよくあります。
Any of a group of signaling proteins that regulate communication and activity among immune and related cells. Individual interleukins are commonly identified by numbered abbreviations such as IL-6 and may promote or limit inflammation and other immune responses.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
inter-「間」と leuk-「白」を手掛かりに、白血球など免疫細胞の「間」で合図を運ぶタンパク質と覚えます。interleukin levels「血中濃度」、interleukin response「反応」、IL-6 のような略号と番号が典型です。単一物質名ではなく、複数のサイトカインの総称です。
Break interleukin into inter-, suggesting “between,” and leuk-, associated with white blood cells, as in leukocyte. This gives a useful picture of a signaling protein carrying messages between immune cells. Remember that interleukin is not one single substance: it names a group whose members are usually labeled with IL plus a number, such as IL-6. Typical phrases include interleukin levels, interleukin response, and interleukin signaling. Although scientists now know that these proteins can be produced by and act on cells beyond leukocytes, the historical word structure remains a practical memory aid.
例文
Interleukin helps immune cells communicate with each other.
インターロイキンは免疫細胞どうしの情報伝達を助けます。
The study measured interleukin levels in the patients' blood.
その研究では、患者の血液中のインターロイキン濃度を測定しました。
A high interleukin response can indicate active inflammation.
高いインターロイキン反応は、炎症が活発であることを示す場合があります。
interleukin の類義語・関連語
類義語
派生語
紛らわしい語
interleukin の語源・成り立ち Etymology
ラテン語 inter（〜の間）+ ギリシャ語 leukos（白い）+ 接尾辞 -in（物質）の合成語。白血球（leukocyte）の間で情報伝達する物質の意。関連語：interlude（間奏）、leukemia（白血病）。免疫細胞同士の「仲介役」という命名。
Interleukin was formed in modern scientific vocabulary from inter-, “between,” leuk-, from Greek leukos, “white,” and the substance-forming suffix -in. The name originally reflected the idea of signaling substances that communicated between leukocytes, or white blood cells. Later research showed that interleukins can be produced by and affect several kinds of cells, but the established name remains. Interlude illustrates inter-, while leukemia contains the same Greek element for “white.”
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