A 4-year-old male is exposed to latex gloves during a minor surgical procedure and is subsequently found to produce anti-latex IgM antibodies. Several months later he develops a severe allergic reaction to latex and is found to have a high level of serum anti-latex IgE antibodies. Which of the following cytokines is most likely responsible for this anti-latex antibody isotype change?

Question

A 4-year-old male is exposed to latex gloves during a minor surgical procedure and is subsequently found to produce anti-latex IgM antibodies.  Several months later he develops a severe allergic reaction to latex and is found to have a high level of serum anti-latex IgE antibodies.  Which of the following cytokines is most likely responsible for this anti-latex antibody isotype change?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: IL-4 is produced by the T_H2 subset of T helper cells. It facilitates proliferation of B cells and T_H2 lymphocytes and stimulates antibody isotype switching to IgE which mediates type I hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions.

A 4-Year-Old Male Is Exposed to Latex Gloves During a Minor