Inhibition of the cytokine response VS lethal H5N1 influenza infection

Inhibition of the cytokine response does not protect

 against lethal H5N1 influenza  infection

Rachelle Salomon *, Erich Hoffmann *, and Robert G. Webster *

"Because proinflammatory cytokines are markedly elevated during H5N1 inflluenza  virus infection, the "cytokine storm" is hypothesized to be the main cause of mortality. Here, we demonstrate that mice deficient in the hallmark inflammatory cytokines TNF-, IL-6, or CC chemokine ligand 2 succumb to infection with A/Vietnam/1203/04 (H5N1) virus, as do wild-type mice treated with glucocorticoids for suppression of cytokines. Because cytokine inhibition does not protect against death, therapies that target the virus rather than cytokines may be preferable. "

full free text on PNAS :

http://www.pnas.org/cgi/reprint/0705289104v1.pdf