A 60-year-old woman undergoes uncomplicated abdominal surgery. On postoperative day 3 her serum C-reactive protein rises sharply. The hepatocytes synthesizing this acute phase reactant have been stimulated by which cytokine released at the site of tissue injury?

• A Granulocyte colony stimulating factor
• B Interleukin-12
• C Interferon-gamma
• D Interleukin-6 ✓

Explanation

IL-6 is the principal cytokine driving the hepatic acute phase response, inducing synthesis of CRP, serum amyloid D, and fibrinogen. This makes serial CRP measurement useful for detecting postoperative infection or complications. Interferon-gamma activates macrophages and drives Th1 responses, IL-12 promotes Th1 differentiation, and G-CSF stimulates granulopoiesis in the marrow; none of these is the dominant stimulus for hepatocyte CRP production.

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.