Upon stimulation by pathogens, a multifaceted inflammatory response ensues, driven by cytokines, free radical reaction products, and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Panel A: The inflammatory response affects, and is affected by, interactions with physiological systems (manifest as reduced physiological variability) and the coagulation and complement cascades. Panel B: The acute inflammatory response is sensed via defined receptors for both pathogen-derived products and DAMPs, and modulated via intracellular signaling pathways.