Cytokines are low molecular weight proteins that act as mediators and communicate between cells. They are potent and function at low levels, acting locally in an autocrine, paracrine, or sometimes endocrine manner. Cytokines are highly interactive, with pleiotropic, redundant, synergistic, and antagonistic effects. The main families of cytokines are the hematopoietic family, interferon family, tumor necrosis factor family, and chemokine family, which elicit physiological responses or serve as chemoattractants. Cytokines signal through cell surface receptors that consist of multiple transmembrane and cytoplasmic components to activate intracellular signaling pathways such as JAK-STAT.