Innate Immune System Response to Burn Damage—Focus on Cytokine Alteration

Abstract

In the literature, burns are understood as traumatic events accompanied by increased morbidity and mortality among affected patients. Their characteristic feature is the formation of swelling and redness at the site of the burn, which indicates the development of inflammation. This reaction is not only important in the healing process of wounds but is also responsible for stimulating the patient’s innate immune system. As a result of the loss of the protective ability of the epidermis, microbes which include bacteria, fungi, and viruses have easier access to the system, which can result in infections. However, the patient is still able to overcome the infections that occur through a cascade of cytokines and growth factors stimulated by inflammation. Long-term inflammation also has negative consequences for the body, which may result in multi-organ failure or lead to fibrosis and scarring of the skin. The innate immune response to burns is not only immediate, but also severe and prolonged, and some people with burn shock may also experience immunosuppression accompanied by an increased susceptibility to fatal infections. This immunosuppression includes apoptosis-induced lymphopenia, decreased interleukin 2 (IL-2) secretion, neutrophil storm, impaired phagocytosis, and decreased monocyte human leukocyte antigen-DR. This is why it is important to understand how the immune system works in people with burns and during infections of wounds by microorganisms. The aim of this study was to characterize the molecular pathways of cell signaling of the immune system of people affected by burns, taking into account the role of microbial infections.

Early detection of soluble CD27, BTLA, and TIM-3 predicts the development of nosocomial infection in pediatric burn patients

“…In the present study, we also observed NK cells, which are generally thought of as a part of the innate immune response but share lineage with T lymphocytes ( 34 ). NK cells are one of the first lines of defense against infections due to their ability to kill without histocompatibility complex recognition but has been observed to be reduced following burn injury ( 6 , 53 , 54 ). In the present study, we observed lower median levels of CD4+ lymphocytes as well as NK cells in individuals who developed NI relative to No NI and HCs ( Figures 2A, C ).…”

Modern Aspects of Burn Injury Immunopathogenesis and Prognostic Immunobiochemical Markers (Mini-Review)

“…Thus, numerous biologically active substances related to inflammatory mediators are involved in the immunopathogenesis of the development of local and systemic disorders in burn injury. Cytokines, growth factors, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin and presepsin, matrix metalloproteases, reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, structural proteins [70] and hemostasis parameters have the most significant importance in burn injury. These immunobiochemical markers are considered prognostic biomarkers in the assessment of the severity of burn injury and wound healing and, ultimately, in the personalized therapy of burn patients.…”

Molecular imbalance mechanism of skin and blood leucocytes in severe burn patients at different burn times

“…Burn injury causes changes in the transcriptome of 80% of leukocytes, which stimulates innate genes (pro - and anti-inflammatory cytokines) and inhibits adaptive immune responses ( 27 ). Neutrophil dysfunction, release from immature granulocytes, and potentially elevated levels of granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin 10 (IL-10), and other cytokines have also been observed ( 28 ).…”