Cytokine

TNF-a

Source
Macrophages/monocytes , Kupffer cells, Neutrophils,
NK cells, Astrocytes, Endothelial cells, T lymphocytes,
Adrenal cortical cells, Adipocytes, Keratinocytes,
Osteoblasts, Mast cells, Dendritic cells
Macrophages/monocytes , B and T lymphocytes, NK
cells, Endothelial cells, Epithelial cells, Keratinocytes,
Fibroblasts, Osteoblasts, Dendritic cells, Astrocytes,
Adrenal cortical cells, Megakaryocytes, Platelets,
Neutrophils

Comment
Among earliest responders following injury; half-life <20 min; activates
TNF-receptor-1 and -2; induces significant shock and catabolism

IL-2

T lymphocytes

Promotes lymphocyte proliferation, immunoglobulin production, gut

barrier integrity; half-life <10 min; attenuated production following major
blood loss leads to immunocompromise; regulates lymphocyte apoptosis

IL-3
IL-4

T lymphocytes, Macrophages, Eosinophils, Mast cells

T lymphocytes, Mast cells, Basophils, Macrophages, B
lymphocytes, Eosinophils, Stromal cells

Induces B-lymphocyte production of IgG4 and IgE, mediators of allergic

and anthelmintic response; downregulates TNF-, IL-1, IL-6, IL-8

IL-5

T lymphocytes, Eosinophils, Mast cells, Basophils

Promotes eosinophil proliferation and airway inflammation

IL-6

Macrophages
B lymphocytes, Neutrophils, Basophils, Mast cells,
Fibroblasts, Endothelial cells, Astrocytes
Synovial cells, Adipocytes, Osteoblasts,
Megakaryocytes, Chromaffin cells, Keratinocytes
Macrophages/monocytes
T lymphocytes, Basophils, Mast cells, Epithelial cells
Platelets
T lymphocytes
B lymphocytes, Macrophages, Basophils, Mast cells
Keratinocytes
Macrophages/monocytes
Neutrophils
Keratinocytes
Dendritic cells
B lymphocytes
T lymphocytes

Elicited by virtually all immunogenic cells; long half-life; circulating levels

proportional to injury severity; prolongs activated neutrophil survival

Macrophages/monocytes
Epithelial cells
Macrophages
Kupffer cells
Keratinocytes
Adrenal cortical cells
Osteoblasts

Anti-inflammatory effect; promotes lymphocyte activation; promotes

neutrophil phagocytosis in fungal infections
Similar to IL-12 in function; elevated in sepsis, particularly gram-positive
infections; high levels found in cardiac deaths

IFN-y

T lymphocytes
NK cells
Macrophages

Mediates IL-12 and IL-18 function; half-life, days; found in wounds 57

days after injury; promotes ARDS

GM-CSF

Promotes wound healing and inflammation through activation of

leukocytes

IL-21

T lymphocytes
Fibroblasts
Endothelial cells
Stromal cells
T lymphocytes

HMGB-I

Monocytes/lymphocytes

High mobility group box chromosomal protein; DNA transcription factor;

late (downstream) mediator of inflammation (ARDS, gut barrier
disruption); induces "sickness behavior"

IL-1

IL-8

IL-10

IL-12

IL-13

IL-15
IL-18

Two forms (IL- and IL-); similar physiologic effects as TNF-; induces fevers
through prostaglandin activity in anterior hypothalamus; promotes endorphin release from pituitary; half-life <6 min

Chemoattractant for neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes

Prominent anti-inflammatory cytokine; reduces mortality in animal sepsis

and ARDS models
Promotes TH1 differentiation; synergistic activity with IL-2

Promotes B-lymphocyte function; structurally similar to IL-4; inhibits nitric

oxide and endothelial activation

Preferentially secreted by TH2 cells; structurally similar to IL-2 and IL-15;

activates NK cells, B and T lymphocytes; influences adaptive immunity