Elevations in cytokines have been recognized as hallmark characteristics of COVID-19.
Serum levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-2R, IL-1β, and TNF-α were all significantly elevated whether patients fell into non-critical, critical, or mortality categories, reflecting the “cytokine storm” associated with COVID-19.[i] In this study, established normal ranges in pg/mL were below 7, 62, 9.1, 710, 5, and 8.1, respectively.
Source: Table S1 . Huang, Wei et al. “Decreased serum albumin level indicates poor prognosis of COVID-19 patients: hepatic injury analysis from 2,623 hospitalized cases.” Science China. Life sciences vol. 63,11 (2020): 1678-1687. doi:10.1007/s11427-020-1733-4
This article is made available via the PMC Open Access Subset for unrestricted research re-use and secondary analysis in any form or by any means with acknowledgment of the original source. These permissions are granted for the duration of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic.
The cytokine storm and its manifestations have been observed in severe cases of COVID-19. Researchers liken it to the cytokine storm seen in Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). [ii] Research suggests that the spike protein characteristic of SARS-CoV-2 triggers increased IL-6 release and trans-signaling, leading to a hyperinflammatory response and cytokine storm.[iii]
Cytokine storm can have a wide variety of manifestations with cardiovascular, cutaneous, gastrointestinal, hematological, and neurological consequences. Its severity may be categorized as mild, moderate, severe, and life-threatening.[iv]
Cytokines have specific functions but an unbridled inflammatory cytokine storm can spell disaster for COVID-19 patients.
Next Up - COVID-19: Blood Biomarkers - Interleukin 10
[i] Huang, Wei et al. “Decreased serum albumin level indicates poor prognosis of COVID-19 patients: hepatic injury analysis from 2,623 hospitalized cases.” Science China. Life sciences vol. 63,11 (2020): 1678-1687. doi:10.1007/s11427-020-1733-4
[ii] Feyaerts, Adam F, and Walter Luyten. “Vitamin C as prophylaxis and adjunctive medical treatment for COVID-19?.” Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.) vol. 79-80 (2020): 110948. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2020.110948
[iii] Patra, Tapas et al. “SARS-CoV-2 spike protein promotes IL-6 trans-signaling by activation of angiotensin II receptor signaling in epithelial cells.” PLoS pathogens vol. 16,12 e1009128. 7 Dec. 2020, doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1009128
[iv] Copaescu, Ana et al. “The role of IL-6 and other mediators in the cytokine storm associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.” The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology vol. 146,3 (2020): 518-534.e1. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2020.07.001