TNF and endothelial dysfunction: Nonetheless, cytokines can be grouped based on pathways, such as markers involved in general inflammation (IL-6, TNF-α, CRP), innate defense (cathelicidin), monocyte and macrophage activation (sCD14, sCD163 and, IL-2sRα), endothelial dysfunction (ET-1) or general biomarkers of immune system health (CD4/CD8 ratio).