With scientists around the world forever finding and documenting new cell signaling molecules it’s not surprising that the naming and categorization of such factors often gets very confusing. It’s rare that a compound has only one name.
An excellent resource for deciphering what is what is the COPE (Cytokines & Cells Online Pathfinder Encyclopaedia). I cannot tell you how many times this useful resource has helped me out. Not only does it provide alternative terms for each factor – but handy info on receptors and interdependent pathways.
Other, more molecular based resources include The Cytokine Web and The Cytokine Family Database
