Interleukin-1 and the Pathogenesis of the Acute-Phase Response

MICROBIAL invasion, tissue injury, immunologic reactions, and inflammatory processes induce a constellation of host responses collectively referred to as the acute-phase response. The response is characterized by changes in metabolic, endocrinologic, neurologic, and immunologic functions. Most of these changes are observed within hours or days after the onset of infection or inflammation, although many acute-phase changes also indicate persistent disease. The full spectrum of the response includes dramatic increases in the synthesis of hepatic acute-phase proteins, which contribute to elevated erythrocyte-sedimentation rates. Leukocytosis is commonly seen with increased numbers of circulating immature neutrophils; serum iron and zinc levels are depressed, . . .