If a researcher injects a soluble, high-affinity receptor targeting IL-6 into a patient experiencing cytokine storm due to a systemic bacterial infection, which consequence is most likely?

💡 Explanation

Soluble IL-6 receptors bind and neutralize IL-6, a key cytokine driving acute phase protein synthesis in the liver; because IL-6 is inhibited, the acute phase response is reduced. Therefore, blocking IL-6 reduces systemic inflammation, rather than enhancing the inflammation or directly affecting neutrophil or complement activity.

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