1. relating to or denoting a type of cell signaling in which a substance secreted by one cell affects nearby cells of a different type
Usage: biology/medicine; often used in contrast to endocrine or autocrine signaling

Examples

• Paracrine signaling allows immune cells to communicate with neighboring tissue cells.
• Growth factors released by fibroblasts act through paracrine mechanisms to influence epithelial cell behavior.
• The paracrine effects of cytokines are limited to cells in close proximity to the source.
• Researchers studied paracrine interactions between different cell types in the tumor microenvironment.
• Paracrine communication is essential for coordinating responses during wound healing.