Fig. 1.

The acronyms “pro-” and “anti-” describe the pro- and anti-inflammatory reactions produced by various immune or nonimmune cells. Proinflammatory cytokines promote inflammation and consequently cause pain and tissue destruction, whereas anti-inflammatory cytokines inhibit the processes that cause inflammation. Inflammatory cytokines support the host’s defence against infection, individually or in combination. This process is known as the chronic inflammatory cytokine response. On the other hand, organ failure and severe tissue damage can result from acute inflammatory reactions. Red cells express proinflammatory cytokines, green cells express anti-inflammatory cytokines, and blue cells express both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, indicating that these molecules may have dual roles. Importantly, the list of cytokines described above is not complete or comprehensive. N, neutrophil; Ep, epithelial cell; B, B cell; T, T cell; M, macrophage; MONO, monocyte; En, endothelial cell; NK, natural killer; FB, fibroblast; DC, dendritic cell; and MC, mast cell