IL6 and infection: In the early stage of infection, influenza viruses induce IL-6 production in the epithelial and endothelial cells of the lungs, which recruits and activates CD8+ T lymphocytes and NK, Treg, and Th2 cells to secrete IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-5 to eliminate the viruses and virus-infected cells, inhibit the exacerbation of inflammation, and restore lung function [16].