Immunology: cytokines: practice question

A Microbiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Microbiology · Immunology: cytokines

Sample item

A patient with a bacterial infection has a markedly raised C-reactive protein and fibrinogen within 24 hours. Which cytokine acts on hepatocytes to drive this acute phase response?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Interleukin-6

IL-6, with IL-1 and TNF-alpha, stimulates hepatocytes to produce acute phase proteins such as CRP, fibrinogen, serum amyloid A and hepcidin. IL-2 drives T cell proliferation, IL-4 promotes Th2 differentiation and IgE class switching, and interferon-gamma activates macrophages.

Option by option

  • A. Interleukin-6 (correct)

    Correct. IL-6 is the principal inducer of hepatic acute phase proteins.

  • B. Interferon-gamma

    Interferon-gamma mainly activates macrophages and promotes Th1 immunity.

  • C. Interleukin-2

    IL-2 is the T cell growth factor and does not drive hepatic synthesis.

  • D. Interleukin-4

    IL-4 supports Th2 responses and IgE production.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Microbiology questions

Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is A, Interleukin-6. IL-6, with IL-1 and TNF-alpha, stimulates hepatocytes to produce acute phase proteins such as CRP, fibrinogen, serum amyloid A and hepcidin.

Why is "Interferon-gamma" not the answer?

Interferon-gamma mainly activates macrophages and promotes Th1 immunity.

Why is "Interleukin-2" not the answer?

IL-2 is the T cell growth factor and does not drive hepatic synthesis.

Why is "Interleukin-4" not the answer?

IL-4 supports Th2 responses and IgE production.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Immunology: cytokines in Microbiology. IL-2 drives T cell proliferation, IL-4 promotes Th2 differentiation and IgE class switching, and interferon-gamma activates macrophages.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Immunology: cytokines?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.