A Review: Can Cytokines Induce Vascular Inflammation as a Sequela of Viral Infections?

Abstract

Background and aim: There are many unknown consequences of viral infections. In this piece, we looked at one of these effects that influence the venous system of the body, vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels.

Discussion: The study illustrates that viral infections attack host cells through viral proteins and surface receptors, activate NF-kappaβ via various receptors and signaling pathways, and subsequently induce a cytokine storm through the release of various pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, TNF-α, and CCL2, likely due to endothelial dysfunction caused by reactive oxygen species generation. Generally, overproduction of these mediators has been identified as a contributor to vascular inflammation and the subsequent development of atherosclerotic plaque, which may facilitate the initiation of vascular inflammation. This article also discusses potentially effective inhibitors for particular cytokines that contribute to vascular inflammation. Inhibiting the expression of these cytokines can diminish atherosclerotic lesions.

Conclusion: This article addresses the need for further investigation into the link between post-viral infection effects and vascular inflammation by discussing the potential mechanism by which the immune system acts upon pathogen entry, the factors responsible for influencing the immune system, and the prevention of infectious disease transmission.

Keywords: cytokines; infectious diseases; vascular inflammation; viral infection.

Figure 1

A schematic diagram of cytokines triggered vascular inflammation as a consequence of viral infections (SARS CoV‐2). The precise mechanism by which viral infection might induce vascular inflammation remains incompletely elucidated. The question mark (?) signifies the necessity for further investigation to determine the precise mechanism by which vascular inflammation is caused by cytokine production resulting from viral infection.

Figure 2

A schematic diagram of the development of chronic vascular inflammation through endothelial cell‐expressed cytokines. It depicts a question mark (?) indicating the importance of additional research to ascertain the exact mechanism by which chronic vascular inflammation is induced by cytokine production as a consequence of viral infection.