A 28 year-old male of Jewish descent presents with abdominal pain, diarrhea and fever. Physical exam reveals a tender abdomen and a perianal fistula. A biopsy reveals chronic inflammation in the small intestine involving all layers of the intestinal wall. This patient may be treated with a monoclonal antibody which blocks which of the following cytokines?
IL-3
IL-5
IL-8
IFN-Beta
TNF-Alpha
Correct answer
TNF-Alpha
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correct answer: E
This is a classical presentation of Crohn’s disease. While the etiology of this disorder is still unknown, TNF-Alpha seems to play a key role. Blocking TNF-Alpha with a monoclonal antibody (such as Infliximab or Adalimumab) causes disease remission in a large number of Crohn’s patients.
IL-3 is secreted by activated T cells and stimulates bone marrow stem cells. IL-5 is secreted by helper T cells and promotes IgA synthesis by B cells.
IL-8 is a chemotactic factor for neutrophils.
IFN-Beta is produced by APCs and epithelial cells in response to viral infections.