title: The inflammatory response triggered by Influenza virus: a two edged sword.
abstract: Influenza A virus (IAV) is a relevant respiratory tract pathogen leading to a great number of deaths and hospitalizations worldwide. Secondary bacterial infections are a very common cause of IAV associated morbidity and mortality. The robust inflammatory response that follows infection is important for the control of virus proliferation but is also associated with lung damage, morbidity and death. The role of the different components of immune response underlying protection or disease during IAV infection is not completely elucidated. Overall, in the context of IAV infection, inflammation is a 'double edge sword' necessary to control infection but causing disease. Therefore, a growing number of studies suggest that immunomodulatory strategies may improve disease outcome without affecting the ability of the host to deal with infection. This review summarizes recent aspects of the inflammatory responses triggered by IAV that are preferentially involved in causing severe pulmonary disease and the anti-inflammatory strategies that have been suggested to treat influenza induced immunopathology.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, ICB Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciana P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Tavares
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, ICB Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mauro M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, ICB Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. cristiana.garcia@ioc.fiocruz.br.|Laboratório de Vírus Respiratórios e do Sarampo, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Avenida Brasil, 4365, 21040360, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. cristiana.garcia@ioc.fiocruz.br.
authors.forename: Cristiana C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Garcia
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000276:immunology; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000502:physiology*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018836:Inflammation Mediators
keywords: Immunopathology; Inflammation; Influenza; Secondary infection