In the systemic response to acute inflammation, which cytokine is chiefly responsible for inducing hepatocytes to synthesize C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A?
- A IL-10
- B IL-12
- C IL-6 ✓
- D GM-CSF
Correct answer: C. IL-6
Explanation
IL-6, released by macrophages and other cells along with IL-1 and TNF, acts on hepatocytes to induce the positive acute-phase proteins, including CRP, serum amyloid C, and fibrinogen. CRP binds phosphocholine on microbes, acting as an opsonin and activating the classical complement pathway. IL-12 drives Th1 differentiation, IL-10 is anti-inflammatory, and GM-CSF stimulates myelopoiesis rather than hepatic acute-phase synthesis.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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