Of all the possible compounding effects of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, the cytokine storm is one of the most feared.
About:
Cytokines are small proteins released by many different cells in the body, including those of the immune system where they coordinate the body’s response against infection and trigger inflammation.
Sometimes the body’s response to infection can go into overdrive.
For example, when SARS -CoV-2 – the virus behind the covid-19 pandemic – enters the lungs, it triggers an immune response, attracting immune cells to the region to attack the virus, resulting in localized inflammation.
But in some patients, excessive or uncontrolled levels of cytokines are released which then activate more immune cells, resulting in hyperinflammation.
Cytokine storms are a common complication not only of covid-19 and flue but of other respiratory diseases caused by coronaviruses such as SARS anMERS.
The phenomenon became more widely known after the 2005 outbreak of the avian H5N1 influenza virus, also known as “bird flu” when the high fatality rate was linked to an out-of-control cytokine response.
They could also be the reason why younger people are less affected, as their immune systems are less developed and so produce lower levels of inflammation-driving cytokines.
Role of inflammation in immunity
Inflammation has an important protective function. The release of inflammatory mediators increases the blood flow to the area, which allows larger numbers of immune system cells to be carried to the injured tissue, thereby aiding the repairing process.
However, if this inflammatory response is not regulated, very dangerous consequences can follow.
This is when a ‘cytokine storm’ can be triggered. The damage to the surrounding cells can be catastrophic, leading to potentially, death.
Cytokine Storm
Context:
Of all the possible compounding effects of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, the cytokine storm is one of the most feared.
About:
Role of inflammation in immunity