Technical Articles

SARS-CoV-2 infection typically causes lymphocytopenia and the release of inflammatory cytokines, with cytokine storms considered one of the critical factors leading to disease progression in patients.

Cytokine storm is a severe systemic immune dysregulation syndrome. Its essence lies in the fact that when strong stimuli such as pathogen infections occur, the body's immune system becomes overactivated, disrupting the delicate balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses.

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a key member of the IL-1 cytokine superfamily, renowned for its potent pro-inflammatory properties and ability to induce interferon-γ production. As a "pioneer signal" in immune responses, it serves as both a weapon against infections and a "culprit" driving numerous chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.