While we usually think of fever as a bad thing, a fever is actually signifying that an immune response is progressing! Overall,
which of the following cytokines would be most involved in increasing Caleb's fever response? a. Interleukin-4
b. Interleukin-12
c. Interleukin-10
d. Interleukin-2
e. Interleukin-1
Interleukin-1 is produced by macrophages and is involved in promoting the proliferation of helper T cells. Interleukin-1 also acts on the hypothalamus to cause fever. Fever refers to abnormally high body temperature. During infection and inflammation, the hypothalamic thermostat is reset in response to interleukin-1 resulting in fever. The presence of certain bacterial toxins in the body triggers the release of interleukin-1 from macrophages and the body temperature is elevated. Fever inhibits the growth of some microbes, intensifies the effects of interferons, and stimulates the body's immune reactions.
