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Multiple Choice

Induced IgE antibodies are associated with production of which cytokine?

IL-4 drives the B cell class switch to IgE. When B cells receive IL-4 signals, they rearrange their immunoglobulin heavy chain genes to produce IgE instead of other isotypes, so the presence of IL-4 is what links induced IgE antibodies to this cytokine. IL-4 also promotes Th2 differentiation, reinforcing this pathway in allergic responses. In contrast, IL-5 mainly supports eosinophils, IL-2 is a general T cell growth factor, and IFN-γ promotes other isotypes and can inhibit IgE production, so they don’t explain IgE induction as directly as IL-4.

IL-4 drives the B cell class switch to IgE. When B cells receive IL-4 signals, they rearrange their immunoglobulin heavy chain genes to produce IgE instead of other isotypes, so the presence of IL-4 is what links induced IgE antibodies to this cytokine. IL-4 also promotes Th2 differentiation, reinforcing this pathway in allergic responses. In contrast, IL-5 mainly supports eosinophils, IL-2 is a general T cell growth factor, and IFN-γ promotes other isotypes and can inhibit IgE production, so they don’t explain IgE induction as directly as IL-4.