Cytokine storm
Cytokine storm, also known as hypercytokinemia, is a serious immune system malfunction characterized by the excessive and rapid release of cytokines, which are proteins that play a critical role in cell signaling within the immune response. Cytokines are essential for activating immune functions to combat infections and cancer; however, when produced in excess, they can trigger an overreaction of the immune system. This overreaction can lead to symptoms such as inflammation, fever, nausea, and in severe cases, organ failure or death. Cytokine storms can be caused by various triggers, including infections, autoimmune diseases, or even immunotherapy. The phenomenon gained particular attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many severely ill patients exhibited severe cytokine storms, which were believed to have contributed to high mortality rates. Understanding cytokine storms is crucial for developing treatments and managing conditions associated with this dangerous immune response.
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Cytokine storm
Cytokine storms are malfunctions of the immune system in which the body produces too many cytokines. Cytokines are proteins that activate immune functioning to fight infections and unwanted materials in the body, including cancer cells. An excess amount of cytokine can cause an overreaction of the immune system, leading to a variety of side effects. These effects may include inflammation, fever, and nausea. In severe cases, cytokine storms (also called hypercytokinemia) may lead to organ destruction or death of the patient.
Overview
The immune system is a network of cells, organs, tissues, and other substances that help the body defend itself against disease. There are two main types of immune systems: innate and adaptive (or acquired). Both serve to protect health and fight infections and illnesses. Some of their most basic and essential tasks include identifying and removing foreign materials in the body and moderating body chemicals that summon immune cells to fight infection. In this second task, one of the main chemicals involved is cytokine.
Cytokine is a type of protein in the immune system that serves as a sort of messenger. Cytokines come in many forms. One type is chemokine, which can be divided into subtypes of interleukins, interferons, and tumor necrosis factors. All of these are important to immune system functioning. When the body releases cytokines, they alert and activate various parts of the immune system to begin fighting infection.
When functioning normally, cytokines are a vital part of human health. They can promote the growth of white blood cells and other materials that identify and attack infections. They are also important in managing the immune system when it discovers cancerous cells. In cancer patients, cytokines send messages that can help to protect normal cells and kill cancer cells.
Cytokines are extremely important for healthy living. However, like many parts of the immune system, cytokines that malfunction can become a serious danger to the body. A dangerous event relating to cytokines is called the cytokine storm, or hypercytokinemia. In this event, the body releases an excess of cytokines into the blood at a rapid pace. The body may do this for several reasons. An infection may trigger a cytokine storm, as may an autoimmune condition, or a disorder of the immune system. In some patients, immunotherapy may trigger cytokine storms.
When these storms occur, patients often experience serious fevers, fatigue, and sickness to the stomach. Inflammation is also a common effect, manifested as swelling or redness of the affected body areas. In severe cases, or in patients with pre-existing problems, cytokine storms may cause one or more organs to fail. These storms may even lead to death of the patient.
In 2020, cytokine storms became a topic of discussion in the medical community. Findings indicated that many patients with severe cases of COVID-19, the respiratory disease that spread at a pandemic level across the globe, experienced cytokine storms of significant force. These storms likely contributed to the deaths of many people who lost their lives to COVID-19.
Bibliography
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