Cytokine networks in the infected lung

Abstract

The generation of an innate immune response is essential for rapid clearance of microbes from the respiratory tract, whereas acquired immunity is required for the generation of cellular immunity neccessary for the killing of certain intracellular pathogens and the development of immunological memory. Cytokines play an integral role in host defense by serving as leukocyte chemoattractants, leukocyte-activating factors or afferent signals in the induction or regulation of other effector molecules. This review assesses the contribution of cytokine networks to the generation of antimicrobial host defenses in the lung, with an emphasis on cytokines/cytokine networks that are instrumental in innate antibacterial responses, including mucosal immunity, and also introduces networks that instruct the development of adaptive immunity.

Keywords::

• acquired immunity
• chemokine
• cytokine
• host defense
• immunotherapy
• innate immunity
• pneumonia

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Robin G Kunkel for his superb artwork designs.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.