Interleukin

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Interleukins are a group of cytokines (secreted signaling molecules) that were first seen to be expressed by white blood cells (leukocytes, hence the -leukin) as a means of communication (inter-). The name is something of a relic though; it has since been found that interleukins are produced by a wide variety of bodily cells. The function of the immune system depends in a large part on interleukins, and rare deficiencies of a number of them have been described, all featuring autoimmune diseases or immune deficiency.

A list of interleukins with function:

IL-1: secreted by macrophages, induces acute phase reaction, fever.
IL-2: secreted by T cells in an autocrine fashion, stimulates growth and differentiation of T cell response. Can be used in immunotherapy to treat cancer.
IL-3: secreted by T cells, stimulates bone marrow stem cells.
IL-4: involved in proliferation of B cells and the development of T cells and mast cells. Important role in allergic responses.
IL-5: role in differentiation of B cells, eosinophil production, and IgA production
IL-6: secreted by macrophages, induces acute phase reaction
IL-7: involved in B, T, and NK cell survival, development, and homeostasis
IL-8: Neutrophil chemotaxis
IL-9: stimulates mast cells
IL-10: inhibits Th1 cytokine production
IL-11: acute phase protein production
IL-12: NK cell stimulation, Th1 cells induction
IL-13: Stimulates growth and differentiation of B-Cells, inhibits Th1 cells and the production of macrophage inflammatory cytokines
IL-14:
IL-15: Induces production of Natural Killer Cells
IL-16:
IL-17: Induces production of inflammatory cytokines
IL-18: Induces production of Interferon-Gamma (IFNy)
IL-19:
IL-20:
IL-21:
IL-22:
IL-23: Increases angiogenesis but reduces CD8 T-cell infiltration
IL-24:
IL-25:
IL-26:
IL-27:
IL-28:
IL-29:
IL-30: