IL-1β/IL-6/CRP and IL-18/ferritin: Distinct Inflammatory Programs in Infections

PLoS Pathog. 2016 Dec 15;12(12):e1005973. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005973. eCollection 2016 Dec.

Abstract

The host inflammatory response against infections is characterized by the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and acute-phase proteins, driving both innate and adaptive arms of the immune response. Distinct patterns of circulating cytokines and acute-phase responses have proven indispensable for guiding the diagnosis and management of infectious diseases. This review discusses the profiles of acute-phase proteins and circulating cytokines encountered in viral and bacterial infections. We also propose a model in which the inflammatory response to viral (IL-18/ferritin) and bacterial (IL-6/CRP) infections presents with specific plasma patterns of immune biomarkers.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute-Phase Proteins / immunology*
  • Animals
  • Bacterial Infections / immunology*
  • C-Reactive Protein / immunology
  • Cytokines / immunology*
  • Ferritins / immunology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / immunology*
  • Inflammation Mediators / immunology
  • Interleukin-18 / immunology
  • Interleukin-1beta / immunology
  • Interleukin-6 / immunology
  • Virus Diseases / immunology*

Substances

  • Acute-Phase Proteins
  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Interleukin-18
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Interleukin-6
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Ferritins

Grants and funding

MGN was supported by an ERC Consolidator Grant (#310372). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.