Chemokine
Small signaling proteins that guide immune cell movement toward sites of infection or injury. Chemokines create chemical gradients that immune cells follow to reach where they're needed.
Biological Context
Over 50 known chemokines work through approximately 20 receptor types. When tissue is damaged or infected, cells release chemokines that diffuse outward, creating concentration gradients. Neutrophils, macrophages, and T cells detect these gradients and migrate toward the source—a process called chemotaxis. Chemokines coordinate the immune response by recruiting the right cells to the right place.
Business Application
Corporate chemokines are the urgent signals that mobilize teams to crisis sites. When a production server fails at 3 AM, the alert system releases the organizational equivalent of chemokines—pagers buzz, Slack channels light up, and engineers migrate toward the problem. Too many false alarms cause 'immune fatigue'—teams stop responding to signals.