**4. Inflammatory cytokines in inflammatory process**

Cytokines are tiny secreted proteins (<40 kDa) that virtually every cell produces to control and affect immune response [20]. The discharge of pro-inflammatory cytokines causes immune cell initiation and development, along with the discharge of additional cytokines [61]. When the word "cytokine storm" first appeared, it was used to describe inflammation as a rapid immediate discharge of cytokines to activate an inflammatory mechanism [62]. Current work of scientists suggests that in every immune reaction, the simultaneous release of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines is needed [63]. Interleukins, chemokines, and growth factors are only some of the terms used to describe cytokines [64]. Super families of cytokines exist, which do not actually describe common genes but rather related structures [64]. Furthermore, the same cytokine may be generated by various cell populations. Cytokines have pleiotropic effects and their effects are dependent on the cell they are targeting [65]. Furthermore, various cytokines may have the same impact, making them redundant. However, they could have a synergistic influence. Finally, they can initiate signaling cascades, allowing even tiny amounts of protein to have catastrophic consequences [66].
