A cytokine essential for clonal expansion of T cells is

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: IL-2. IL-2 is essential for the clonal expansion of T cells as it promotes T cell proliferation. It is produced by activated T cells themselves and plays a crucial role in regulating immune responses. IL-1 is involved in inflammation, not T cell expansion. IL-4 is important for Th2 cell differentiation, while IL-5 is critical for eosinophil activation. In summary, IL-2 specifically promotes T cell clonal expansion, making it the correct choice in this context.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hepatitis B. Recombinant vaccines are made by inserting genetic material from a pathogen into another organism to stimulate an immune response. Hepatitis B vaccine is produced using recombinant DNA technology to create a non-infectious protein that triggers an immune response against the hepatitis B virus. DPT, BCG, and Measles vaccines are not examples of recombinant vaccines as they are made using different methods without genetic engineering.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because the statement that SARS coronavirus is also the causal agent of MERS is false. MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) is caused by a different coronavirus called MERS-CoV. SARS-CoV caused the 2003 epidemic with a 10% mortality rate, which aligns with statement A. Statement B is correct as SARS-CoV does cause an acute infection of the lungs known as acute respiratory distress syndrome. Statement D is also true as SARS-CoV is believed to have been transmitted from bats to civets and then to humans. Therefore, the incorrect statement is C.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Caspase 1. Caspase 1 is responsible for the cleavage of pro-IL-1β into its active form IL-1β. This process involves the activation of Caspase 1 by various inflammasomes upon sensing danger signals. Pro-caspase 1 (Choice A) is the inactive precursor form of Caspase 1 and is not involved in processing IL-1β. Procaspase 8 (Choice C) and Caspase 8 (Choice D) are part of the extrinsic apoptosis pathway and are not directly involved in the processing of IL-1β. Therefore, the correct choice is Caspase 1 as it specifically cleaves pro-IL-1β to its active form.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Autism. The controversy surrounding the MMR vaccine and autism emerged from a fraudulent report that falsely claimed a link between the two. Numerous scientific studies have since debunked this association, confirming the safety of the MMR vaccine. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a complex etiology, involving genetic and environmental factors, but not vaccines. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as there is no proven causal link between the MMR vaccine and multiple sclerosis, encephalitis, or epilepsy.