A Review: Can Cytokines Induce Vascular Inflammation as a Sequela of Viral Infections?
Shahana Akhter Deena,
Samia Aziz Tonima,
Sakif Ahamed Khan,
Mohammad Shahangir Biswas,
Syed Masudur Rahman Dewan,
Shahana Akhter Deena
Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Contribution: Conceptualization, Writing - original draft
Search for more papers by this authorSamia Aziz Tonima
Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Contribution: Conceptualization, Writing - original draft
Search for more papers by this authorSakif Ahamed Khan
Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Contribution: Writing - review & editing
Search for more papers by this authorMohammad Shahangir Biswas
Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
Department of Public Health, Daffodil International University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Contribution: Writing - review & editing
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Syed Masudur Rahman Dewan
Department of Pharmacy, School of Life Sciences, United International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Correspondence: Syed Masudur Rahman Dewan ([email protected])
Contribution: Conceptualization, Writing - review & editing, Supervision
Search for more papers by this authorShahana Akhter Deena,
Samia Aziz Tonima,
Sakif Ahamed Khan,
Mohammad Shahangir Biswas,
Syed Masudur Rahman Dewan,
Shahana Akhter Deena
Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Contribution: Conceptualization, Writing - original draft
Search for more papers by this authorSamia Aziz Tonima
Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Contribution: Conceptualization, Writing - original draft
Search for more papers by this authorSakif Ahamed Khan
Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Contribution: Writing - review & editing
Search for more papers by this authorMohammad Shahangir Biswas
Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
Department of Public Health, Daffodil International University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Contribution: Writing - review & editing
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Syed Masudur Rahman Dewan
Department of Pharmacy, School of Life Sciences, United International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Correspondence: Syed Masudur Rahman Dewan ([email protected])
Contribution: Conceptualization, Writing - review & editing, Supervision
Search for more papers by this authorFirst published: 21 July 2025
ABSTRACT
Background and Aim
There are many unknown consequences of viral infections. In this piece, we looked at one of these effects that influence the venous system of the body, vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels.
Discussion
The study illustrates that viral infections attack host cells through viral proteins and surface receptors, activate NF-kappaβ via various receptors and signaling pathways, and subsequently induce a cytokine storm through the release of various pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, TNF-α, and CCL2, likely due to endothelial dysfunction caused by reactive oxygen species generation. Generally, overproduction of these mediators has been identified as a contributor to vascular inflammation and the subsequent development of atherosclerotic plaque, which may facilitate the initiation of vascular inflammation. This article also discusses potentially effective inhibitors for particular cytokines that contribute to vascular inflammation. Inhibiting the expression of these cytokines can diminish atherosclerotic lesions.
Conclusion
This article addresses the need for further investigation into the link between post-viral infection effects and vascular inflammation by discussing the potential mechanism by which the immune system acts upon pathogen entry, the factors responsible for influencing the immune system, and the prevention of infectious disease transmission.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Open Research
Data Availability Statement
Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no data sets were generated or analysed during the current study.
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