12: Soluble Mediators of the Cutaneous Immune System Flashcards
What is the role of cytokines in the hematopoietic system?
Cytokines are soluble polypeptide mediators that facilitate communication between cells of the hematopoietic system, influencing leukocyte function, differentiation, growth, activation, and migration, and are upregulated in response to injury.
What is pleiotropism in cytokine biology?
Pleiotropism refers to cytokines having a wide range of activities, causing multiple effects in responsive cells.
What is redundancy in cytokine biology?
Redundancy means that multiple cytokines can display activity in any single bioassay, such as inducing T-cell proliferation.
What are the two major categories of soluble mediators that help regulate an effective immune response?
The two major categories are Cytokines and Chemokines.
What are the primary functions of cytokines in the immune system?
Cytokines are involved in communication, influencing leukocyte function, upregulation in response to injury, and playing important roles in the immune system and inflammatory responses.
What is the significance of pleiotropism and redundancy in cytokines?
- Pleiotropism: Cytokines have a wide range of activities, causing multiple effects in responsive cells.
- Redundancy: Different cytokines can produce similar effects.
What roles do chemokines play in the immune response?
Chemokines are vital mediators of cellular trafficking, associated with recruitment of leukocyte subsets to inflammatory sites, and roles in angiogenesis, neural development, cancer metastasis, hematopoiesis, and infectious diseases.
What are keratinocyte cytokines?
Keratinocyte cytokines are produced by epithelial cells and are significant in immune responses and cellular communication.
What distinguishes Th17 cells from other T-cell subsets?
Th17 cells are distinguished by their production of high levels of IL-17, IL-21, and IL-22, promoting inflammation and playing critical roles in autoimmune diseases.
How do Treg cells maintain peripheral self-tolerance?
Treg cells express the FoxP3 transcription factor and produce TGF-β, limiting the activity of proinflammatory T-cell subsets.
What is the structural classification of cytokines in the four-helix bundle group?
Cytokines in the four-helix bundle group share a tertiary architecture of four antiparallel α-helical stretches. For example, IFN-γ is a four-helix bundle cytokine that exists as a noncovalent dimer.
What are the main functions of Treg cells in the immune system?
Treg cells maintain peripheral self-tolerance by expressing FoxP3 and producing TGF-β, limiting proinflammatory T-cell activity.
How do Th17 cells contribute to inflammation and autoimmune diseases?
Th17 cells produce high levels of IL-17, promoting inflammation and are critical effectors in autoimmune diseases.
What is the role of IL-12 in T cell differentiation?
IL-12 promotes Th1 differentiation among T cell subsets.
What structural classification do most cytokine ligands belong to?
Most cytokine ligands belong to the four-helix bundle group, which is significant for their function.
What are the characteristics of IFN-γ and TNF-α in terms of their structure?
IFN-γ is a four-helix bundle cytokine that exists as a noncovalent dimer, while TNF-α and TNF-β are trimers composed of β-sheets.
What are the major signal transduction pathways associated with the IL-1 receptor family?
The IL-1 receptor family leads to NF-κB activation via TRAF6.
What is the clinical relevance of IL-6 in cutaneous biology?
IL-6 triggers acute-phase response and promotes immunoglobulin synthesis, and is used clinically as an anti-IL-6 treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
How does IL-17 contribute to autoimmune diseases?
IL-17, produced by activated Th17 cells, mediates autoimmune diseases and is a potential drug target.
What is the role of TNF-α in inflammation?
TNF-α mediates inflammation and is targeted by anti-TNF therapies in conditions like psoriasis.
What features of IL-2 are significant for T cell activation?
IL-2 acts as an autocrine factor for activated T cells, promoting their proliferation and survival.
Describe the NF-κB pathway and its role in cytokine signaling.
The NF-κB pathway is activated by cytokines like IL-1 and TNF, leading to the expression of inflammation-related genes.
What are the major signaling pathways that account for most effects attributable to cytokines?
The major signaling pathways are the NF-κB pathway and the JAK/STAT pathway.
How do IL-1 and TNF relate to the NF-κB signaling pathway?
IL-1 and TNF activate the NF-κB transcription factor, which propagates inflammation.