Question

Match the cytokine to its description.

Secreted by helper T cells, this cytokine stimulates proliferation of helper T cells and cytotoxic T cells, proliferation and differentiation of B cells, and enhances the activity of natural killer cells.

A) interleukin-5
B) interleukin-10
C) interleukin-1
D) interferon-γ
E) interferon-α
F) interleukin-4
G) interleukin-2

Answer 1

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is the cytokine secreted by helper T cells that stimulates the proliferation of T cells and B cells, and enhances natural killer cell activity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The cytokine secreted by helper T cells that stimulates the proliferation of both helper T cells and cytotoxic T cells, the proliferation and differentiation of B cells, and enhances the activity of natural killer cells is interleukin-2 (IL-2). Specifically, interleukin-2 is crucial for the expansion of activated T cells and plays a significant role in the body's natural defense system during an immune response. Helper T cells, which express CD4 molecules, produce various cytokines that act to enhance different facets of the immune response, with IL-2 being one of the key cytokines for stimulating immune cell proliferation.