Cytokines Overview and Functions

What is the primary role of cytokines in immune responses?

Which type of cytokine is released specifically from T lymphocytes?

How do chemokines primarily affect immune cell behavior?

Which of the following cytokines is implicated in stimulating the growth and differentiation of immature leukocytes?

What mechanism describes cytokine effects on the cells that produce them?

Which statement correctly describes a characteristic of interleukins?

What induces the production of cytokines?

Which category of cytokines is associated with the tumour necrosis factor family?

What is the effect of certain cytokines on cell proliferation?

What type of immune responses do cytokines mediate?

Cytokines

What are they? Small soluble proteins or glycoproteins released by one cell population that act as signalling molecules.
Function: Responsible for immunoregulation, mediating both specific and non-specific immune responses.
Types of Cytokines:
- Monokines: Released from mononuclear phagocytes
- Lymphokines: Released from T Lymphocytes
- Interleukins: Produced by a leukocyte and act on another leukocyte
- Colony-Stimulating Factors (CSFs): Stimulate the growth and differentiation of immature leukocytes in the bone marrow.
Categories/Families: Chemokines, haematopoietins, interleukins, and members of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) family
Induction: Production is stimulated by nonspecific stimuli (virus, bacteria, parasites, cancer, inflammation) or interactions between T cells and antigens.
Other Cytokines: Some cytokines induce the production of other cytokines.
Cell Function:
- Activate: Can stimulate cell proliferation and/or cell differentiation
- Inhibit: Can inhibit cell division and cause apoptosis (programmed cell death)
Chemokines: Play a key role in the acute inflammatory response by stimulating chemotaxis and chemokinesis.

Chemokines

Function: Stimulate chemotaxis and chemokinesis (cell movement)
Role: Crucial for the acute inflammatory response

This quiz covers the fundamentals of cytokines, including their definition, types, and functions in immune regulation. You'll learn about different categories of cytokines such as monokines, lymphokines, and interleukins, as well as their roles in mediating immune responses. Test your knowledge on how cytokines interact with cells and stimulate immune functions.