TNF and Sepsis: Figure 1 also shows how the level of these biomarker rise and fall during the first 48 h after onset of sepsis. Elevated in the early phase of infection are the interleukins IL-6 and−8, and CD64, ICAM, TNF, and IFN-γ, followed by the acute phase proteins PCT and CRP in the mid and late phase, respectively (69).