Immune modulation by catecholamines - a potential mechanism of cytokine release in heart failure?

Cytokine blood levels are found to be moderately elevated in chronic heart failure, as a function of severity of disease. The source of these cytokine s and the trigger mechanisms stimulating cytokine release are a matter of i ntense research. Potential players include bacterial endotoxin from intesti nal translocation. a neurohumoral dysbalance with an enhanced sympathetic t one or an overspill of cytokines from the failing heart itself. We present arguments in favor of a direct link between the chronically enhanced sympat hetic tone in heart failure and the clinically overt activation of the immu ne system, particularly interleukin 6 release.