Could Proteomic Research Deliver the Next Generation of Treatments for Pneumococcal Meningitis?

Table 2

The host immune response will most likely make up the majority of proteins present in the CSF because these proteins will include host immune response factors such as complement and cytokines as well as specific immunoglobulins and proteins from serum leaking to the CSF as a result of the blood brain barrier breakdown.

Protein	Description	Action	References
Complement components, for example, C3b, iC3b, or C4b (CR1, CR3)	Consists of a number of small proteins found in the blood, normally circulating as inactive zymogens	Help to clear pathogens from an organism	[62]
IL-6	A proinflammatory cytokine	Secreted by T cells and macrophages to stimulate immune response to trauma, leading to inflammation	[63]
Interleukin-1 (IL-1)	A superfamily consisiting of IL-1α, IL-1β, and the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA)	They control lymphocytes. IL-1α and IL-1β are produced by macrophages, monocytes, and dendritic cells	[64]
IgG	The most abundant immunoglobulin. Equally distributed in blood and in tissue liquids	Activates complement (classic pathway), opsonization for phagocytosis, and neutralisation of their toxins	[65]