Mechanisms Involved in Immunopathogenesis of influenza virus infection

Influenza epidemics and pandemics cause notable morbidity and mortality. Mortality cases are mostly associated with immunopathogenic mechanisms, although still poorly understood. Human studies help to understand the immunopathogenesis of influenza. However, there is limited information in this regard. Recent studies using experimental animal models have significantly improved our knowledge on complex mechanisms involved in the immunopathogenesis during influenza infections including acute inflammatory responses of neutrophils, dendritic cells, macrophages, toll-like receptors, chemokines, cytokines, CD4 and CD8 T cells. Due to influenza infection, elevated levels of cytokines and chemokines are produced during influenza-induced inflammation which are known as cytokine storm which is a severe immune response characterized by the recruitment of inflammatory leukocytes and increased levels of cytokines and chemokines at the site of infection. This review aimed to discuss the most recent findings on mechanisms of influenza immunopathogenesis.