Immune cell migration chemotactic cytokines

Inflammation is a common component associated with sepsis, meningitis, as well as respiratory tract, urinary tract, viral, and bacterial infections (Table 1). Bik is elevated during bacterial or viral infection. The presence of urinary Bik correlates well with standard urinalysis tests for urinary tract infections [20]. Endotoxins released from infectious pathogens induce inflammation and immune cell activation. Macrophages release interleukins and cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, IL-12, IL-15, IL-18, TNF-a) on exposure to lipo-polysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) endotoxins. These cytokines act as a chemotactic factors causing immune cell migration to the site of the infection followed by activation and release of proteases. Cytokines also induce increased vascular permeability in the endothelial. Bik suppresses further cytokine release by protease and intern additional migration and activation of immune cells. Additionally, a stabilization of the immune cell membrane prevents further release of proteases [4]. 

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