T-cell growth and Th2/eosinophil cytokines vs Inflammatory, regulatory, and macrophage-activating cytokines
How to tell T-cell growth and Th2/eosinophil cytokines and Inflammatory, regulatory, and macrophage-activating cytokines apart when a board question makes them look alike.
IL-2 grows T cells, IL-4/5 are Th2 allergy/parasite helpers, IL-6 acute phase, IL-10 brakes, TNF inflames, IFN-gamma activates macrophages.
Side by side
IL-2 drives T-cell proliferation; IL-4 drives IgE/Th2 class switching; IL-5 activates eosinophils and supports IgA; IL-12 promotes Th1 differentiation.
IL-6 drives acute-phase/hepcidin responses; IL-10 suppresses macrophages/Th1; TNF-alpha causes fever/cachexia/endothelial activation; IFN-gamma activates macrophages.
IL-2 drives T-cell proliferation; IL-4 drives IgE/Th2 class switching; IL-5 activates eosinophils and supports IgA; IL-12 promotes Th1 differentiation.
IL-6 drives acute-phase/hepcidin responses; IL-10 suppresses macrophages/Th1; TNF-alpha causes fever/cachexia/endothelial activation; IFN-gamma activates macrophages.
The repair move
Before naming the answer, force the stem through the separator: IL-2 grows T cells, IL-4/5 are Th2 allergy/parasite helpers, IL-6 acute phase, IL-10 brakes, TNF inflames, IFN-gamma activates macrophages.
Try a free question
CoreA research team is studying a cytokine that is secreted by activated CD4 T cells in an autocrine fashion, promotes T-cell proliferation, supports regulatory T-cell maintenance, and is the target of the immunosuppressant cyclosporine (which blocks calcineurin-dependent IL-2 gene transcription). Which cytokine is this?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. IL-2. IL-2 drives T-cell proliferation (autocrine and paracrine) and supports regulatory T cell maintenance. Cyclosporine and tacrolimus inhibit calcineurin, preventing IL-2 gene transcription, used as immunosuppression after transplant. Aldesleukin (recombinant IL-2) is used in some cancer immunotherapies.
Why the other choices are tempting
- B. IL-4 drives Th2 differentiation and IgE class switching.
- C. IL-6 drives acute phase response and IL-17/Th17 differentiation.
- D. TNF-alpha drives inflammation, fever, cachexia; targeted by infliximab/adalimumab.
- E. IFN-gamma activates macrophages for Th1 response.
Flashcards
Tap a card to flip it.
What clue supports T-cell growth and Th2/eosinophil cytokines?
Choose T-cell growth and Th2/eosinophil cytokines when the stem gives this pattern: IL-2 drives T-cell proliferation; IL-4 drives IgE/Th2 class switching; IL-5 activates eosinophils and supports IgA; IL-12 promotes Th1 differentiation.
What clue supports Inflammatory, regulatory, and macrophage-activating cytokines?
Choose Inflammatory, regulatory, and macrophage-activating cytokines when the stem gives this contrasting pattern: IL-6 drives acute-phase/hepcidin responses; IL-10 suppresses macrophages/Th1; TNF-alpha causes fever/cachexia/endothelial activation; IFN-gamma activates macrophages.
Quick answers
What is the fastest way to tell T-cell growth and Th2/eosinophil cytokines from Inflammatory, regulatory, and macrophage-activating cytokines?
IL-2 grows T cells, IL-4/5 are Th2 allergy/parasite helpers, IL-6 acute phase, IL-10 brakes, TNF inflames, IFN-gamma activates macrophages.
What is the key clue for T-cell growth and Th2/eosinophil cytokines?
IL-2 drives T-cell proliferation; IL-4 drives IgE/Th2 class switching; IL-5 activates eosinophils and supports IgA; IL-12 promotes Th1 differentiation.
What is the key clue for Inflammatory, regulatory, and macrophage-activating cytokines?
IL-6 drives acute-phase/hepcidin responses; IL-10 suppresses macrophages/Th1; TNF-alpha causes fever/cachexia/endothelial activation; IFN-gamma activates macrophages.