Cytokines

Question 1

What are cytokines?

Answer 1

Proteins:

1. low molecular weight
2. soluble
3. produced in response to antigen 4. function as chemical messengers for regulating the innate and adaptive immune systems

Question 2

What cell mostly produces cytokines?

Answer 2

T helper Lymphocytes

Question 3

Cytokine activation and function

Answer 3

Activation of cytokine producing cells triggers synthesis and release of cytokines

Bind specific receptors on other cells, influence activity

Question 4

Cytokine descriptors:

Answer 4

1. Pleiotropic
2. Redundant
3. Multifunctional
4. Antagonistic or synergistic

Question 5

Four functional categories of cytokines

Answer 5

1. Regulate innate immune responses
2. Regulate adaptive immune responses
3. Chemokines (promote directed-cell migration)
4. Stimulate hematopoiesis