Fig. 1.

The cytokine release syndrome and clinical outcomes in COVID-19 Pathogenesis. Numerous pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-17, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-1β participate to the CRS onset. These cytokines are secreted by numerous cells like epithelial cells, macrophages, T lymphocytes, neutrophils, and Th17 cells, and exacerbate the SARS-CoV-2 infection. The excessive cytokine release has tremendous consequences such as acute lung injuries, cellular damage, microbiota alteration, severe lymphopenia and a decrease in regulatory T cells.