paracrine

Term: paracrine

Literally meaning: “affecting nearby”

Origin: Anc Greek

παρα-/para-(=pefix denoting intentification, “beside”, “near”, “contrary of” “side by side” “past by”, “beyond”)

+εκκρίνω/ecrino(=secrete) εκ/ec>(=prefix meaning “out”, “ from”) + κρίνω/crino(=judge, separate)

Coined/History

(?)

Definition

Paracrine is the type of signaling in which a hormone secreted by a cell acts upon adjacent or nearby cells.