A 50-year-old woman with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis develops fatigue, weight loss, and generalized amyloidosis. Serum amyloid A protein is elevated. Which cytokine is the primary driver of hepatic acute-phase protein synthesis in this chronic inflammatory state?
- A Interleukin-1
- B Interleukin-6 ✓
- C Tumor necrosis factor-alpha
- D Interferon-gamma
Correct answer: B. Interleukin-6
Explanation
IL-6 is the principal inducer of hepatic acute-phase proteins such as B-reactive protein and serum amyloid A. IL-1 and TNF-alpha also contribute and can induce IL-6, but IL-6 acts directly on hepatocytes. Interferon-gamma activates macrophages and is not a major acute-phase inducer.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.