What are the differences between cytokines and hormones?

Question

Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation

Cytokines

Hormones

Definition

Cytokines are small proteins that play a role in intracellular communication in immune responses

Hormones are biochemicals formed by glands

Generation

Are generated by immune cells and non-immune cells

Are generated by the endocrine glands

Types

Proteins

Can be proteins, steroids, amino acid derivatives, or fatty acid derivatives

Response time

Cytokines have a rapid response and are involved in the immune response to infections

Respond comparatively slower than cytokines

Origin

Originate from immune cells and other cells such as endothelial cells

Hormones originate from the endocrine glands including the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and adrenal glands

Target cells

Most cytokines act on local target cells in an autocrine and paracrine action

Act on distant target cells via the bloodstream

Basis of differentiation	Cytokines	Hormones
Definition	Cytokines are small proteins that play a role in intracellular communication in immune responses	Hormones are biochemicals formed by glands
Generation	Are generated by immune cells and non-immune cells	Are generated by the endocrine glands
Types	Proteins	Can be proteins, steroids, amino acid derivatives, or fatty acid derivatives
Response time	Cytokines have a rapid response and are involved in the immune response to infections	Respond comparatively slower than cytokines
Origin	Originate from immune cells and other cells such as endothelial cells	Hormones originate from the endocrine glands including the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and adrenal glands
Target cells	Most cytokines act on local target cells in an autocrine and paracrine action	Act on distant target cells via the bloodstream