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Review
. 2015 Oct 23;7(10):5489-507.
doi: 10.3390/v7102892.

The Role of Cytokines and Chemokines in Filovirus Infection

Sandra L Bixler  1 , Arthur J Goff  2
Affiliations
Review

The Role of Cytokines and Chemokines in Filovirus Infection

Sandra L Bixler et al. Viruses. .

Abstract

Ebola- and marburgviruses are highly pathogenic filoviruses and causative agents of viral hemorrhagic fever. Filovirus disease is characterized by a dysregulated immune response, severe organ damage, and coagulation abnormalities. This includes modulation of cytokines, signaling mediators that regulate various components of the immune system as well as other biological processes. Here we examine the role of cytokines in filovirus infection, with an emphasis on understanding how these molecules affect development of the antiviral immune response and influence pathology. These proteins may present targets for immune modulation by therapeutic agents and vaccines in an effort to boost the natural immune response to infection and/or reduce immunopathology.

Keywords: Ebola; Filovirus; Marburg; chemokine; cytokine; immunopathology.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cytokine families and their functions.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The role of cytokines in filovirus infection and immunopathogenesis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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