L8 Regulating the immune responses: the role of cytokines and chemokines : the role of cytokines and chemokines Flashcards
How do cytokines act
- All cytokines act by ligating their receptor (often two subunits) and triggering a signalling cascade leading to activated transcription of specific genes
Cytokines in hematopoiesis
IL-, interleukin, SCF, stem cell factor; G-(GM)-CSF, granulocyte (granulocyte/macrophage) colony stimulating factor: EPO, erythropoietin; TPO, thrombopoietin
What are interferons
- Anti-viral mediators
- Products of virus-infected cells that interfere with viral replication
Examples of interferons
- IFN-alpha (made by lymphocytes)
- IFN-beta (made by fibroblasts)
- IFN-gamma (made by lymphocytes and NK cells)
Immune activators that are involved in mediating host defense
- Lymphocyte-activating cytokines (IL-1)
- T cell growth factors (IL-2, -7, -9, -15; they share a co-receptor)
- Macrophage-activating cytokines (IFN-gamma)
What are cytotoxins
- Identified as products of activated lymphocytes or macrophages that can kill tumour cells
eg. tumour necrosis factor; TNF, also known as TNF-alpha
Why wasn’t TNF used as an anticancer agent
- TNF was cloned and produced with the hope it would be an anticancer agent
- However, it turned out to te too toxic
- Same story for IL-1, as a lymphocyte activator tested in AIDS
Three main types of armed effector T cells
- Cytotoxic (killer) T cells (Peptide + MHC class I)
- Tn1 and Tn2 cells (peptide + MHC class II)
Effector molecules produced by cytotoxic (killer) T cells
- Cytotoxic effector molecules
Effector molecules produced by Tn1 cells
- Macrophage-activating effector molecules such as IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha
Effector molecules produced by Tn2 cells
- B-cell activating effector molecules such as IL-4,5,15,10 and TGF-beta
How do Th1 (T-helper) and Th2 cells mainly act
- Mainly act by activating other cells
Effects of IFN-gamma and CD40 ligands(produced by Th1 cells)
- Activates macrophage to destroy engulfed bacteria
Effects of fox ligand or LT-alpha (produced by TH1)
- Kills chronically infected cells, releasing bacteria to be destroyed by fresh macrophages
Effects of IL-2 (produced by Th1)
- Induces T-cell proliferation, increasing numbers of effector cells
Effects of IL-3 + GM-CSF
- Induces macrophage differentiation in the bone marrow
Effects of TNF-alpha + LT-beta
- Activates endothelium to induce macrophage binding and exit from blood vessel at site of infection