For Immunology Chapter 4 Day 3 Compare and contrast signaling via small G proteins (page 78) with large G proteins (p132). Include the regulatory activity of GAPs and GEFs in your answer. We’ve already talked about IL-1 regulation via IL-1ra and soluble IL-1 receptors. Now discuss viral mechanisms of interfering with IL-1 and consider whether … Continue reading Final Thoughts on Cytokines

For Immunology Chapter 4 Day 2 Why is it important for type I interferon (IFN-I) to act in both autocrine and paracrine fashions? What types of infectious diseases would be targeted by IFN-I vs IFN-II?  Where does the signal to induce IFN-I occur? How is the JAK-STAT pathway different than the pathways using ITAMs such … Continue reading Six Cytokine Families

For Immunology Chapter 4 Day 1 What technologies of the 1960s, ‘70s, and ‘80s have allowed study and purification of human cytokines? Why does the textbook caution against strict interpretation of the cytokine functions in Appendix II? Use words to describe the examples of pleiotropy, redundancy, synergy, and antagonism for helper T cells that make … Continue reading Properties of Cytokines