Immunosuppressants: calcineurin inhibitors: practice question

A Pharmacology 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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Pharmacology · Immunosuppressants: calcineurin inhibitors

Sample item

Tacrolimus prevents T-cell activation primarily by reducing transcription of which cytokine?

AInterleukin-5BInterleukin-2CGranulocyte colony-stimulating factorDErythropoietin

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Interleukin-2

Tacrolimus binds FKBP and inhibits calcineurin, preventing NFAT activation and IL-2 transcription. Nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, hyperglycaemia, and hypertension are important adverse effects.

Option by option

A. Interleukin-5
IL-5 is associated with eosinophil biology, not calcineurin's main target.
B. Interleukin-2 (correct)
Correct. Reduced IL-2 limits T-cell proliferation.
C. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor
G-CSF stimulates neutrophil production.
D. Erythropoietin
Erythropoietin regulates red-cell 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.

Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is B, Interleukin-2. Tacrolimus binds FKBP and inhibits calcineurin, preventing NFAT activation and IL-2 transcription.

Why is "Interleukin-5" not the answer?

IL-5 is associated with eosinophil biology, not calcineurin's main target.

Why is "Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor" not the answer?

G-CSF stimulates neutrophil production.

Why is "Erythropoietin" not the answer?

Erythropoietin regulates red-cell production.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Immunosuppressants: calcineurin inhibitors in Pharmacology. Nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, hyperglycaemia, and hypertension are important adverse effects.

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 Immunosuppressants: calcineurin inhibitors?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology 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.