Fundamentals of Molecular Cell Biology Flashcards
What is the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the body?
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a cytokine involved in inflammation. It is primarily generated in macrophages and binds to cell surface receptors TNFR1 and TNFR2.
What can happen if there are mutations in the TNFRSF1A gene?
Mutations in the TNFRSF1A gene can lead to unprovoked inflammation and a condition called TNFR1-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS).
What type of therapy is used to target TNF?
Anti-TNF therapy is used to target and inhibit the activity of tumor necrosis factor in the body.
Are there alternative therapies for severe cases of TNF-related inflammation?
In severe cases, anti-IL-1 therapy can be used as an alternative treatment option.
What conditions are commonly treated with anti-TNF biological therapies?
Anti-TNF biological therapies are commonly used for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
What is the role of interleukin-1 (IL-1) in the body?
Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a cytokine involved in inflammation. It binds to the cell surface receptor IL-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1RI), initiating the inflammatory pathway.
Which cells primarily generate IL-1?
: IL-1 is primarily generated in macrophages but can also be produced by endothelial and epithelial cells.
What are some common diseases associated with IL-1 dysregulation?
Diseases associated with IL-1 dysregulation include Still’s disease, Schnitzler syndrome, hidradenitis suppurativa, gout, and type 2 diabetes.
What treatment options are available for IL-1-related conditions?
IL-1 blockade can be used as a treatment option. This can be achieved through the use of anti-IL1R1 agents or recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonists.
What is stratified medicine?
Stratified medicine is an approach in which subgroups of a population are identified based on distinct characteristics of disease or treatment response. It aims to tailor medical interventions to specific groups for more effective treatment.
What is personalized medicine?
Personalized medicine is a clinical model that delivers therapy on an individualized basis. It takes into account a person’s unique characteristics, such as genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors, to provide tailored treatment.
How are stratified medicine and personalized medicine related?
Stratified medicine and personalized medicine are broadly interchangeable terms. Personalized medicine can be seen as a more in-depth implementation of stratified medicine, considering individual factors in addition to subgroup characteristics.
What is gene therapy?
Gene therapy is a technique that aims to replace a defective gene with a functional one in order to treat genetic disorders or diseases. It often involves the use of retroviral elements or other delivery systems to introduce the corrected gene into the patient’s cells.
What is CRISPR in the context of gene editing?
CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is a gene editing system that utilizes a DNA binding protein called Cas9 and an RNA molecule known as “the guide.” When combined, they form a complex that can bind to specific sections of DNA and enable precise editing or modification of the genetic sequence.
What are the components of the CRISPR/Cas9 system?
The CRISPR/Cas9 system consists of two main components: the Cas9 protein, which acts as the DNA binding protein, and the guide RNA (gRNA), which guides Cas9 to the target DNA sequence for editing.
