Which statement about cytokines during inflammation is NOT true?

Which statement about cytokines during inflammation is NOT true?

• A. They activate immune cells, drive fever, and increase vascular permeability
• B. They are produced exclusively by the liver
• C. They help coordinate immune responses
• D. They can influence liver to produce acute-phase proteins

Answer: (B)

Cytokines are signaling molecules produced by many different cells—such as macrophages, dendritic cells, T cells, endothelial cells, and even fibroblasts—to coordinate the inflammatory response. They act as messengers that tell other cells how to respond, helping to amplify and regulate the reaction. They activate immune cells, contribute to fever, and increase vascular permeability, all of which help leukocytes reach the site of injury. They coordinate immune responses by shaping which cells are recruited and how they behave. They can also influence the liver to produce acute-phase proteins like C-reactive protein and fibrinogen, which participate in systemic inflammation. The statement that cytokines are produced exclusively by the liver is not true, because cytokines come from a variety of cell types throughout the body. The other statements accurately reflect cytokine roles in inflammation.

Cytokines are signaling molecules produced by many different cells—such as macrophages, dendritic cells, T cells, endothelial cells, and even fibroblasts—to coordinate the inflammatory response. They act as messengers that tell other cells how to respond, helping to amplify and regulate the reaction.

They activate immune cells, contribute to fever, and increase vascular permeability, all of which help leukocytes reach the site of injury. They coordinate immune responses by shaping which cells are recruited and how they behave. They can also influence the liver to produce acute-phase proteins like C-reactive protein and fibrinogen, which participate in systemic inflammation.

The statement that cytokines are produced exclusively by the liver is not true, because cytokines come from a variety of cell types throughout the body. The other statements accurately reflect cytokine roles in inflammation.