The unglycosylated ORF8 binding to CD14+ monocytes causes a dysregulation of the inflammatory response characterized by elevated blood concentrations of interleukin-6, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, and α-tumour necrosis factor among other cytokines (cytokine storm). The higher CD14+ binding 84 L variant and the milder disease outcome produced by the weaker CD14+ binding 84 S variant, suggested that the ratio of 84 L and 84 S may control different degrees of inflammation by modulating monocyte recognition of viral antigens depending on the host immune reactions .