Exam 2: Cytokines in Therapy

Question 1

Cytokines

Answer 1

Direct the growth, development, maturation, and life span of immune cells.

Divided into several categories:

1. Interferons
2. Tumor necrosis factor
3. Interleukins
4. Colony stimulating factors

Question 2

Interferons

Answer 2

• Glycoproteins that act in paracrine fashion
  
  • Released into extracellular space
  • Binds to receptors on nearby cells
• Named for ability to interfere with viral replication
• Type I and Type II

Question 3

Type I Interferons

Answer 3

Interferon α and β

• Produced in response to viral infections
• Induces proteins that inhibit viral replication

Question 4

Interferon α

Answer 4

Used to treat:

• Chronic hepatitis B and C
  
  • No longer the preferred treatment due to advances
• Hairy cell leukemia
• AIDS related Kaposi’s sarcoma
• Genital warts (condyloma acuminatum)
• Malignant melanoma

Question 5

Interferon β

Answer 5

Used in relapsing-type MS

Question 6

Type II Interferons

Answer 6

Interferon γ

• ↑ phagocytosis by Mφ
• ↑ MHC expression
• ↑ antigen presentation

Question 7

Interferon γ

Answer 7

Used for chronic granulomatous disease

(Inherited primary immunodeficiency d/t lack of NADPH oxidase)

Question 8

Tumor Necrosis Factor α

(TNF-α)

Answer 8

• Made by mast cells, Mφ, and T-cells
• Major role in immune cell activation
• Regulates immune responses & inflammation
• Blockade of TNF-α used to treat autoimmune disorders
• TNF-α only effective for malignant melanoma and soft tissue sarcoma

Question 9

Interleukins

Answer 9

• Made by WBCs
• Regulates function of other immune cells
• > 35 IL’s identified

Question 10

IL-1

Answer 10

• Causes fever and acute inflammation
• Blockade of IL-1 used for RA

Question 11

IL-2

Answer 11

• Responsible for T cell proliferation & promotes T_H1 path
• IL-2 used for renal cell carcinoma and metastatic melanoma

Question 12

IL-11

Answer 12

• Stimulates platelet production
• Analogues used for thrombocytopenia

Question 13

Colony Stimulating Factors

Answer 13

Acts on stem cells in bone marrow ⇒ growth & differentiation into specific types of blood cells

Question 14

Monocyte CSF

Answer 14

Growth of cells of monocyte lineage

Question 15

Granulocyte Macrophage CSF

Answer 15

Growth and differentiation of dendritic cells

Question 16

Granulocyte CSF

Answer 16

Differentiation and development of neutrophils.

Analogues used ot treat neutropenia.

Question 17

Erythropoietin

Answer 17

Stimulates RBC production.

Analogues used to treat anemia.