IL6 and viral infectious disease: Severe viral infections lead to endothelial cell destruction and production of large amounts of inflammatory factors, such as Interleukin 6, Interleukin 8, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factors, which can stimulate the production of high levels of neutrophils.[31] The inflammation stimulates neutrophil production and accelerates lymphocyte apoptosis.