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Immunology > Cytokines and Chemokines > Flashcards

Cytokines and Chemokines Flashcards

1
Q

What are cytokines and their general role?

A

Cytokines are messenger molecules regulating immune and inflammatory systems. They are produced by leukocytes and other cells acting on target cells with specific receptors.

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2
Q

What is the function of chemokines?

A

Chemokines are specialized cytokines inducing chemotaxis of immune cells guiding them to sites of infection or inflammation by forming a concentration gradient.

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3
Q

What are some key properties of cytokines?

A

Cytokines are pleiotropic locally active and function in cascades. They act on multiple cell types have short half-lives and work via cell surface receptors.

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4
Q

What does it mean that cytokines are pleiotropic?

A

Cytokines can affect more than one cell type and perform multiple actions simultaneously resulting in diverse biological effects.

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5
Q

What is cytokine redundancy and its significance?

A

Cytokine redundancy means several cytokines have similar properties and target cells ensuring backup in case pathogens block one cytokine’s action.

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6
Q

How do cytokines function within the body?

A

Cytokines act locally and are mostly acute mediators. They work paracrinally often near their production site with effects ranging from cell activation to gene expression.

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7
Q

What is the primary role of IL-8 (CXCL8)?

A

IL-8 is a chemokine inducing chemotaxis in neutrophils recruiting them to tissues at sites of infection or inflammation.

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8
Q

How do cytokines exert their effects?

A

Cytokines act through cell surface receptors with extracellular cytokine-binding domains and intracellular signal transduction domains.

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9
Q

What are pro-inflammatory cytokines and their effects?

A

Pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1 TNF-α and IL-6 induce local inflammatory responses recruit immune cells and increase vascular permeability.

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10
Q

What are anti-inflammatory cytokines and their effects?

A

Anti-inflammatory cytokines like IL-10 prevent cytokine production by CD4+ cells and IL-1RA inhibits IL-1 activity balancing immune responses.

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11
Q

What are the specific functions of IL-1?

A

IL-1 has two forms IL-1α and IL-1β that induce IL-2 and IL-2R expression in T cells, increase B cell proliferation and enhance Ig synthesis. It also mediates local inflammation. High levels can lead to septic shock.

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12
Q

What therapeutic uses do cytokines have?

A

Cytokines like G-CSF are used to speed neutrophil recovery post-therapy, IL-10 for psoriasis, and IL-2 IL-12 and IFN-α in cancer immunotherapy.

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13
Q

What cytokine blockers are used therapeutically?

A

Anti-TNF-α anti-IL-6 and anti-IL-1 are used in rheumatoid arthritis. Anti-TNF-α is also used in Crohn’s disease asthma and psoriasis.

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14
Q

What are the primary receptors for TNF-α and their roles?

A

TNF-RI (p55) induces apoptosis while TNF-RII (p75) induces cell activation mediating the diverse effects of TNF-α.

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15
Q

What are the systemic risks of cytokine activity?

A

Systemic cytokine activity can lead to hazardous effects like septic shock and organ failure often seen with IL-1 and TNF-α.

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16
Q

What are the therapeutic applications of soluble cytokine receptors?

A

Soluble receptors like sIL-1RI and sTNFR regulate cytokine activity by binding circulating cytokines controlling their effects and enabling targeted signaling.

17
Q

What are the types and roles of interferons?

A

Type I interferons (IFN-α and IFN-β) are produced by many cell types and have antiviral effects inhibiting viral replication and enhancing immune responses. Type II interferon (IFN-γ) is produced by T cells and NK cells upregulates MHC class I and II expression and activates macrophages and neutrophils.

18
Q

What are the specific functions of IL-2?

A

IL-2 promotes T cell proliferation differentiation and survival. It is critical for activating NK cells and maintaining Treg cells ensuring balanced immune responses.

19
Q

What are the roles of IL-4 and IL-5 in immunity?

A

IL-4 drives Th2 differentiation enhances IgE production and supports responses to parasites. IL-5 stimulates eosinophil production and activation essential for combating helminths.

20
Q

What is the role of IL-6 in inflammation?

A

IL-6 acts as a pro-inflammatory cytokine inducing acute-phase protein production in the liver stimulating B cell differentiation and serving as a marker of systemic inflammation.

21
Q

What are the specific functions of IL-10?

A

IL-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that suppresses cytokine production by T cells and macrophages maintaining immune homeostasis and preventing overactive immune responses.

22
Q

What is the function of IL-17 in immunity?

A

IL-17:
- produced by Th17 cells
- recruits neutrophils to sites of infection
- promotes inflammation especially during fungal and bacterial infections.

23
Q

What are the roles of TNF-α and TNF-β?

A

TNF-α is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that increases vascular permeability recruits immune cells and induces fever. TNF-β also known as lymphotoxin mediates cell death and supports tissue repair.

24
Q

What is the role of GM-CSF in immune responses?

A

GM-CSF stimulates the differentiation of granulocytes and macrophages enhancing their function and aiding in recovery from bone marrow suppression.

25
Q

What are the roles of IFN-α and IFN-β?

A

These Type I interferons inhibit viral replication increase MHC class I expression and activate NK cells playing a key role in early antiviral defenses.

26
Q

How does IFN-γ support immune responses?

A

IFN-γ enhances macrophage activation promotes antigen presentation via MHC upregulation and supports Th1-mediated immune responses against intracellular pathogens.

27
Q

What are the specific functions of CXCL8 (IL-8)?

A

CXCL8 is a chemokine produced by macrophages neutrophils and epithelial cells. It recruits neutrophils to infection sites and enhances their activity in innate immune responses.

28
Q

What are the anti-inflammatory actions of IL-1RA?

A

IL-1RA (IL-1 receptor antagonist) competes with IL-1 for receptor binding blocking its pro-inflammatory effects and preventing excessive immune activation.

29
Q

What are the specific functions of IL-12?

A

IL-12:
- promotes Th1 differentiation
- enhances NK and T cell cytotoxicity
- stimulates IFN-γ production supporting responses to intracellular pathogens.

30
Q

What is the role of IL-13 in immune responses?

A

IL-13:
- similar to IL-4 promotes IgE production, helps combat parasitic infections
- supports mucus secretion in respiratory epithelium

31
Q

What is the role of chemokines like CCL5 (RANTES)?

A

CCL5 attracts T cells eosinophils and basophils to sites of inflammation playing a key role in antiviral and allergic responses.

32
Q

How does IL-15 support immune function?

A

IL-15 stimulates NK and T cell proliferation and survival playing an essential role in memory T cell maintenance.

33
Q

What is the role of IL-18 in the immune system?

A

IL-18 enhances IFN-γ production by NK and T cells supporting Th1-mediated responses and enhancing innate immunity.

34
Q

What is the role of IL-23 in Th17 differentiation?

A

IL-23 is crucial for stabilizing and expanding Th17 cells supporting their role in inflammation and responses to extracellular bacteria and fungi.

35
Q

What is the importance of cytokine receptor sharing such as for IL-3 IL-5 and GM-CSF?

A

These cytokines share a common β chain in their receptors highlighting redundancy and ensuring robust responses even if one pathway is disrupted.

36
Q

What is the role of soluble TNF receptors in therapy?

A

Soluble TNF receptors bind to TNF-α preventing its interaction with cell-bound receptors thereby reducing inflammation in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

Immunology (25 decks)

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