Final answer:
The answer to the student's question is c. GATA-3, which is not a cytokine produced by TH2 cells but rather a transcription factor important for the differentiation of these cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking which of the following is NOT a cytokine produced by TH2 cells:
- a. IL-4
- b. IL-5
- c. GATA-3
- d. All of the above
The correct answer is c. GATA-3. Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and Interleukin-5 (IL-5) are cytokines that are produced by TH2 cells. These cytokines are important for for the immune response as they facilitate various activities related to the humoral arm of the immune system. IL-4 is involved in the differentiation of naive helper T cells (Th cells) into TH2 cells while IL-5 is important for the growth and differentiation of B cells. In contrast, GATA-3 is not a cytokine; it is a transcription factor that is crucial for TH2 cell differentiation.
TH2 cells are a subgroup of T cells that secrete cytokines which aid in antibody responses, as opposed to Th1 cells, which are more involved in cell-mediated immunity.