What happens in cytokine-mediated inflammation?

Inflammation may be triggered by cytokines produced mainly by CD4+ T cells in which tissue injury is caused by activated macrophages and inflammatory cells. Excessive polyclonal T cell activation by certain microbial toxins produced by some bacteria and viruses can lead to production of large amounts of inflammatory cytokines, causing a syndrome similar to septic shock. These toxins are called superantigens because they stimulate large numbers of T cells.