Inflammation.docx

Inflammation

A response triggered by damage to living tissue, characterized by changes in blood flow, permeability of blood vessels, and migration of fluid and white blood cells.

Acute inflammation

A short-term inflammatory response characterized by increased blood flow, vascular permeability, and the emigration of leukocytes.

Chronic inflammation

A long-term inflammatory response lasting for days to years, often associated with proliferation of blood vessels, tissue necrosis, and fibrosis.

Sterile inflammation

Inflammation caused by factors other than microorganisms, such as trauma, surgery, or lack of oxygen.

Non-sterile inflammation

Inflammation caused by microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

Vasodilation

The widening of blood vessels, leading to increased blood flow and redness and warmth at the site of inflammation.

Increased vascular permeability

The leakage of fluid and plasma proteins from blood vessels into the extravascular spaces, leading to swelling and pain.

Exudate

Protein-rich fluid that leaks into the extravascular spaces during inflammation, delivering immunoglobulins, diluting toxins, and increasing lymphatic drainage.

Transudate

Fluid that leaks into the extravascular spaces due to raised hydrostatic pressure without alteration in vascular permeability.

Phagocytic leukocytes

White blood cells, such as neutrophils and macrophages, that engulf and destroy foreign substances and cellular debris at the site of injury or infection.

Chemotaxis

The movement of cells, such as white blood cells, towards an area of higher concentration of chemical signals, guiding them to the site of injury or infection.

Neutrophils

First responder at the site of injury, most abundant white blood cell, involved in phagocytosis and release of toxins to kill bacteria/fungi.

Lymphocytes

Cells of the adaptive immune system, produce antibodies or lymphokines, involved in humoral and cell-mediated immunity.

Monocytes, Macrophages

Monocytes mature into macrophages in response to inflammation, phagocytic cells that consume foreign pathogens and cancer cells, stimulate response of other immune cells.

Eosinophils

Act against parasites, control inflammation, prevent inflammation from spreading.

Basophils

Secrete chemicals of inflammation, involved in allergic reactions.

Mast cells

Prevalent along mucosal surfaces, involved in wound healing and defense against pathogens, similar to basophils but with slightly different nuclei.

Platelets

Involved in hemostasis, promote clotting and inflammation, release chemicals like ADP and serotonin.

Selectins

Cell adhesion molecules that facilitate leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells.

Integrins

Receptors that mediate attachment between cells and tissues, involved in cell signaling and migration.

Leukocyte extravasation

Movement of leukocytes out of the circulatory system towards the site of tissue damage or infection.

Leukocytes

White blood cells involved in the immune response.

Chemical mediators

Substances released from cells that regulate inflammation and immune responses.

Mast cells

Cells found in tissues that release chemical mediators during inflammation.

Macrophages

Large white blood cells that engulf and destroy pathogens.

Margination

Process in which leukocytes move to the sides of blood vessels.

Tethering

Leukocytes attaching to the side of blood vessels with the help of selectins.

Adhesion

Firm attachment of leukocytes to the blood vessel wall.

Diapedesis

Process in which leukocytes squeeze through blood vessel walls into tissues.

Chemotaxis

Movement of cells in response to a chemical stimulus.

Phagocytosis

Process of engulfing and destroying microorganisms by leukocytes.

Chemokines

Small proteins that direct the movement of leukocytes during inflammation.

Histamine

Chemical released from mast cells that causes dilation of blood vessels and increased permeability.

Leukotrienes

Lipid mediators released from mast cells that attract and activate leukocytes.

Platelet activation factor (PAF)

Lipid mediator released from mast cells that activates platelets and promotes inflammation.

Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)

Chemical released from mast cells that promotes inflammation and cell death.

Chemotactic cytokines

Subgroup of chemotactic proteins that direct the movement of leukocytes.

Phospholipase A2

Enzyme that releases arachidonic acid from cell membranes.

Arachidonic acid

Unsaturated fatty acid found in cell membranes that is a precursor for eicosanoid synthesis.

Eicosanoids

Family of inflammatory mediators derived from arachidonic acid.

Lipoxygenase Pathway

A biochemical pathway in which arachidonic acid is converted into leukotrienes.

Ruptured mast cell

A type of immune cell that releases histamine and other inflammatory mediators.

Phospholipids

Molecules that make up the cell membrane and serve as a source of arachidonic acid.

Phospholipase A2

An enzyme that cleaves arachidonic acid from phospholipids.

Arachidonic acid

A fatty acid that serves as a precursor for the synthesis of leukotrienes.

5-Lipoxygenase (5-LO)

An enzyme that converts arachidonic acid into HETE.

HETE

Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, a group of metabolites derived from arachidonic acid.

Leukotrienes

Inflammatory mediators produced from HETE, involved in promoting inflammation and immune responses.

LTB4

A type of leukotriene that acts as a potent chemoattractant.

LTC4, LTD4, LTE4

Different types of leukotrienes involved in various inflammatory processes.

Aspirin

A medication that inhibits the production of prostaglandins and thromboxane A2, leading to anti-inflammatory effects.

Cyclooxygenases (cox-1 & cox-2)

Enzymes involved in the synthesis of prostaglandins.

Cortisol/Steroid

Medications prescribed to reduce inflammation, but with potential side effects.

T-cells

A type of immune cell involved in cell-mediated immune responses.

NSAIDs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen.

Leukotrienes

Inflammatory mediators produced from phospholipids released from mast cell plasma membrane.

Histamine

A chemical released by mast cells that promotes vasodilation and increased vascular permeability.

Cytokines

Chemicals produced by mast cells that stimulate or activate other cells in the immune system.

Interleukins

A type of cytokine produced by mast cells and influenced by other leukocytes.

IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12

Specific interleukins with various functions in the immune system.

Mediators

Chemicals released by mast cells and leukocytes that contribute to the inflammatory response.

Granulate Content

Substances stored in granules within mast cells and leukocytes, including histamine and proteases.

Prostaglandins

Lipid mediators involved in vasodilation, pain, and fever.

Neutrophil chemotaxis

The movement of neutrophils towards a site of inflammation in response to chemical signals.

Leukocyte adhesion and activation

The process by which leukocytes attach to the endothelium and become activated.

Platelet Activation Factor (PAF)

A mediator involved in vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, and leukocyte activation.

Complement system

A set of proteins in the blood that contribute to the immune response, including opsonization and membrane attack complex formation.

Opsonization

The process by which microbes or antibodies bind to microorganisms, facilitating their engulfment by macrophages.

Chemotaxis

The movement of phagocytes towards a site of inflammation in response to chemical signals.

Membrane Attack Complex (MAC)

A complex of complement proteins that forms pores in the bacterial cell membrane, leading to lysis.

Antibody

An immunoglobulin that recognizes and binds to specific antigens.

Complement binding sites

Specific regions on antibodies where complement proteins can bind and activate the complement system.

Antibodies

Proteins produced by the immune system that help to identify and neutralize foreign substances in the body.

Complement

A group of proteins that work together to enhance the immune response, including the activation of antibodies and the destruction of pathogens.

Intrinsic pathway

One of the two pathways involved in the formation of blood clots, triggered by internal injuries.

Extrinsic pathway

One of the two pathways involved in the formation of blood clots, triggered by external injuries.

Fibrinopeptide

A protein involved in the formation of blood clots.

Bradykinin

A protein that plays a role in inflammation, causing blood vessels to dilate, smooth muscles to contract, and inducing pain.

Leukocyte chemotaxis

The movement of white blood cells towards the site of inflammation.

Collagen

The main protein that forms the connective tissue in the body.

Fever

An increase in body temperature, often caused by the release of prostaglandins during inflammation.

Cytokines

Proteins released by immune cells that regulate inflammation and immune responses.

Leukocytosis

An increase in the number of white blood cells, often stimulated by complemented C3a.

Acute-phase reactants

Proteins produced by the liver in response to inflammation.

Inflammatory exudates

Fluids that accumulate at the site of inflammation, such as serous, fibrinous, purulent, and hemorrhagic exudates.

Chronic inflammation

Ongoing inflammation that lasts for an extended period of time.

Granuloma formation

The formation of a mass of immune cells, typically in response to chronic inflammation.

Necrosis

Cell death that occurs as a result of injury or disease.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that occurs as a normal part of cellular development or in response to certain signals.

Coagulation necrosis

Necrosis caused by loss of blood supply, resulting in hypoxia and ischemia.

Hypoxia

A decrease in oxygen levels in the body.

Ischemia

Inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body.

Infarct

Dead tissue caused by ischemic necrosis.

Caseous necrosis

Necrosis characterized by soft, crumbly, whitish-gray debris, often seen in tuberculosis or fungal infections.

Liquefactive necrosis

Necrosis in which tissue is digested and liquefied by lysosomal enzymes.

Enzymatic fat necrosis

Necrosis caused by the release of pancreatic enzymes, leading to the digestion of fats in the pancreas.

Gangrene

Dead tissue, often complicated by secondary bacterial infection.

Dry gangrene

Extensive ischemic necrosis of the extremities, characterized by black, dry, shriveled tissue.

Wet gangrene

Necrosis associated with bacterial infection, often involving swelling, blisters, and a foul odor.

Gas gangrene

Necrosis caused by certain bacteria, such as Clostridia, which produce gas and can spread throughout the body.