immuno revisited

let's go over some factoids regarding ILs (interleukins)...those itty-bitty things that make immuno seem impossible at times!

• type of IL that boosts T helper cell?
  IL-2
• btw, normal Tc to Bc ratio?
  3:1
• causes an increase in temperature?
  TNF-alfa and IL-1
• revs up IgA?
  IL-5
• IL involved in helminthic infections?
  IL-5 (it revs up both IgA [intestinal mucosa] and eosinophils = activated at helminthic infections)
• responsible for endotoxin septic shock and causes cachexia in malignancies?
  TNF-alfa
• bonus question: where does TNF-alfa come from?
  it is secreted by macrophages
• another point if you can tell me the mechanism for how it causes cachexia?
  it inhibits lipoprotein lipase in adipose tissues
• interesting connection you can make:
  TNF-alfa activates IL-2 and Bc
• major, major must know fact: at HS1 (hypersensitivity type 1), which IL is the main culprit? think before looking at answer!
  did you guess IL5? (boo). TNF-alfa? (booooo).
  the answer is: IL-4, which then revs up IgE --> anaphylactic shock!
• IL responsible for activating stem cells?
  IL-3 (i remember this with a silly mnemonic: tree of life --> stem c are new life --> IL3)
• acute phase of inflamation...2 main ILs?
  IL-1 (remember...fever!) and IL-6 (acts as GM-CSF)
• mature monocytes secrete what CKs?
  first, you must answer...what are mature monocytes? MACROPHAGES! (back to the histo books for you if you didn't know that), so what did i say earlier? mphags secrete TNF-alfa and IL-1
• where are mphags fixed in tissues and what mediator activates them?
  recall that in liver cells, mphags = Kuppfer cells and C5a is needed to get them a moving again.

it is said the human brain at one time can retain 7 active items in its memory. i've given you 14 for now :) time to give these factoids a good home in your cerebellum :)