Regulating the immune responses: the role of cytokines and chemokines

Question 1

Anti-viral mediators

Answer 1

Interferons, identified as products of virus infected cells that interfere with viral replication

IFN-alpha (made by lymphocytes)

IFN-beta (made by fibroblasts)

IFN-gamma (made by lymphocytes and NK cells)

Question 2

Immune activators

Answer 2

Lymphocyte activating cytokines (IL-1)

T cell growth factors (IL-2, 7, 9, 15, they share a co-receptor)

Macrophage activating cytokines (IFN gamma)

Question 3

Cytotoxins

Answer 3

Identified as products of activated lymphocytes or macrophages that can kill tumour cells

Tumour necrosis factor

Question 4

X linked SCID

Answer 4

Caused by the genetic inactivation (by mutation) of one receptor that is a common signalling component of the IL-2, IL-4 and IL-7 receptors

Question 5

Cardinal signs of inflammation

Answer 5

Heat

Swelling

Redness

Pain

Tissue damage

Most explained by biological action of inflammatory cytokines on the vascular endothelium

Question 6

Cytokine and chemokine inflammatory response

Answer 6

Bacteria trigger macrophages to release cytokines and chemokines

Vasodilation and increased vascular permeability cause redness, head and swelling

Inflammatory cells migrate into tissue, releasing inflammatory mediators that cause pain

Question 7

TNF mediated diseases

Answer 7

Septic shock

Multiple organ failure

Respiratory distress syndrome

Rheumatoid arthritis

Inflammatory bowel disease

Graft versus host rejection

Diabetes

Pulmonary fibrosis

Question 8

Cytokines in allergy

Answer 8

Th1 cytokines are important in inflammatory diseases

Th2 cytokines are important in allergic diseases

Question 9

Chemokines

Answer 9

Chemotactic cytokines