Table 1.

Selected biomarkers and functions

Biomarker	Function
IL1-α	Pro-inflammatory; primary initiator of inflammatory response
IL-4	Inflammation and wound repair
IL-6	Pro-inflammatory, primary initiator of inflammatory response, regulating adipose accumulation; also displays anti-inflammatory properties
IL-8	Pro-inflammatory, activation of neutrophils
IL-10	Anti-inflammatory, regulates T cell and macrophage function
IL-13	Anti-inflammatory, inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including IL-1α, IL-6, & IL-8
VEGF	Vascular permeability factor, creation of new blood vessels after injury, new blood vessels to bypass blocked vessels, muscles after exercises.
VEGFC	Lymphatic-specific growth factor, strong regulator of lymphangiogenesis, hyperplastic lymphatic vessels, lymphedema. VEGFC binds to and activates VEGFR3 and VEFGR2 receptors on lymphatic epithelium.
VEGFD	Lymphatic-specific growth factor receptor, related to lymphedema
TNF-α	Pro-inflammatory, key immune mediator