Skip to main content
An official website of the United States government
Español

chemokine

(KEE-moh-kine)
One of a large group of proteins that is made by certain immune cells and other cells in the body. Chemokines play an important role in the body’s immune response. They stimulate the movement of certain types of white blood cells and attract them to areas of inflammation to help the body fight infections, inflammatory conditions, and other diseases. They also help keep the immune system working the way it should. A chemokine is a type of cytokine.
Search NCI's Dictionary of Cancer Terms