What is the primary function of cytokines in the inflammatory response?

Cytokines play a critical role in the inflammatory response, primarily by attracting phagocytes to the site of inflammation. When tissue is damaged or infected, cytokines are released by immune cells and other types of cells, signaling to phagocytes such as neutrophils and macrophages to migrate to the area. This recruitment is essential, as phagocytes are responsible for engulfing and digesting pathogens and debris, thus helping to contain and resolve the inflammatory process.

While other functions like converting fibrinogen to fibrin, initiating the clotting process, and repairing tissue structures are indeed important aspects of the body's response to injury and inflammation, they do not directly focus on the primary role of cytokines. Clotting factors and wound healing processes involve different types of cells and mediators that, although may be influenced by cytokines, are distinct from their main function in immune signaling and recruitment of phagocytes.