Virokine

A virokine is a competitive inhibitor of a cytokine encoded within some viral genomes.

The word "virokine" was originally coined by Dr. Bernard Moss. It is used to designate viral proteins that interfere with immune response by reducing cytokine levels or effectiveness. They may do so by suppressing cytokine secretion, competing for cytokine receptors, interfering with cytokine signalling pathways, or otherwise antagonizing cytokines of the host organism. Many virokines are similar to host cytokines and may have been acquired by gene transfer from the host and subsequently modified.