interleukin 3


noun Immunology.

a lymphokine protein, secreted by T cells, that participates in the regulation of blood-cell production. Abbreviation: IL-3

Origin of interleukin 3

First recorded in 1980–85; see origin at interleukin 1

Medical definitions for interleukin-3

interleukin-3

n.

A lymphokine, released by helper T cells in response to an antigen or mitogen, that stimulates the growth of blood stem cells and lymphoid cells such as macrophages and mast cells.