Inflammation_&_Immunity_Alterations

Inflammation

Inflammation

The response of the body to tissue injury or infection, characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain.

Immunity

The ability of the body to defend against foreign substances and harmful pathogens.

Wound healing

The process of repairing damaged tissue and restoring its normal function.

Adaptive immunity

The specific immune response that targets specific pathogens and develops over time.

Hypersensitivity

An exaggerated immune response that can cause damage to the body's own tissues.

Immunodeficiencies

Conditions in which the immune system is weakened or unable to function properly.

AIDS

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, a disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that weakens the immune system.

First line of defense

Physical and mechanical barriers, as well as biochemical barriers, that protect the body from pathogens.

Second line of defense

Inflammation, the body's response when the first line of defense is breached.

Vasodilation

The widening of blood vessels, leading to increased blood flow and redness.

Edema

The accumulation of fluid in tissues, leading to swelling.

Nociceptors

Pain receptors that are activated during inflammation.

Neutrophils

White blood cells that are the first responders to inflammation and are involved in phagocytosis.

Macrophages

White blood cells that are specialized in phagocytosis and play a key role in removing pathogens and debris during inflammation.

Neutrophils

White blood cells that are attracted to sites of tissue damage during inflammation.

Macrophages

Immune cells that detect and activate in response to injured cells, producing signaling molecules to attract other immune cells.

Chemotaxis

The movement of immune cells towards a chemical signal, such as the attraction of neutrophils towards activated macrophages.

Phagocytosis

The process by which immune cells engulf and destroy foreign particles, such as bacteria.

Opsonization

The process of coating bacteria or other particles with antibodies or complement proteins to enhance phagocytosis.

Complement

A group of proteins produced by the liver that help activate and enhance the immune response, including chemotaxis and destruction of bacteria.

Membrane Attack Complex

A ring-like structure formed by complement proteins that binds to bacteria and creates a hole in their membrane, leading to their destruction.

Prostaglandins

Chemical mediators produced during inflammation that induce vessel dilation, contributing to the inflammatory response.

Histamine

A chemical mediator that increases vascular permeability, leading to swelling and mucus production, commonly involved in allergic reactions.

Prostaglandins

Chemicals that are one of the mediators of pain and activate nociceptors, the pain receptors.

Pain

Sensation caused by the activation of nociceptors in response to injury or inflammation.

Fever

Systemic response caused by the release of chemicals such as interleukins and prostaglandins from an inflammatory site, which then travel to the brainstem and increase body temperature.

Chemical mediators

Substances such as interleukins, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and prostaglandins that are produced at an inflammatory site and can escape into the bloodstream, causing systemic effects.

Angiogenesis

The production of new blood vessels, which is an important process in wound healing and repair.

Phagocytosis

The process by which cells called phagocytes engulf and destroy pathogens or debris. Opsonins, such as complement and antibodies, enhance the effectiveness of phagocytosis.

Acute inflammation

A short-term inflammatory response characterized by tissue injury or pathogen invasion, activation of macrophages, release of inflammatory mediators, and symptoms such as redness, swelling, pain, and heat.

Chronic inflammation

A persistent inflammatory response that can occur when acute inflammation is not resolved or when the injury is persistent. It can lead to chronic inflammatory diseases and involve the recruitment of lymphocytes and fibroblasts.

Fibroblasts

Cells specialized in depositing collagen, which play a role in wound healing and the formation of scar tissue.

Scar

Fibrous tissue that forms during the healing process of a wound when acute inflammation does not heal properly.

Hemostasis

The process of stopping bleeding by forming a clot.

Inflammation

The body's response to injury or infection, characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain.

Phagocytosis

The process by which cells engulf and digest foreign particles or debris.

Lymphocytes

A type of white blood cell involved in the immune response.

Angiogenesis

The formation of new blood vessels.

Fibroblast

A type of cell that produces collagen and helps in wound healing.

Granulation tissue

A type of tissue that forms during wound healing, characterized by redness and the presence of blood vessels and fibroblasts.

Epithelialization

The process of the growth of epithelial cells to close a wound.

Primary intention

The healing of a small wound by suturing the edges together.

Secondary intention

The healing of a larger or infected wound without sutures, resulting in the formation of granulation tissue.

Hypertrophic scar

An excessive production of collagen during wound healing, resulting in a raised scar.

Keloid

A type of scar that extends beyond the boundaries of the original wound.

Adhesions

Scarring inside the peritoneal cavity, which can cause organs or tissues to stick together.

Immunity

The body's ability to defend against foreign substances or pathogens.

Adaptive immunity

The specific immune response that develops after exposure to a particular pathogen.

Adaptive immunity

The immunity that allows us to adapt to the environment by creating antibodies and cells that remember and respond to antigens.

Lymphoid tissues

Organs such as the thymus, lymph nodes, and bone marrow that are rich in lymphocytes and play a crucial role in the development of the immune system.

Cell-mediated immunity

One type of immune response involving T cells that can help, suppress, or kill other cells in response to antigens.

Humoral or antibody-mediated immunity

Another type of immune response involving B cells that produce antibodies specific to antigens.

Antigens

Foreign substances that trigger an immune response.

Macrophages

Cells that detect and activate the immune response by detecting antigens.

Immunoglobulins

Antibodies, including IgG, IgM, IgA, and IgE, that play different roles in the immune system.

IgG and IgM

The two most common antibodies found in the serum, used in tests to assess immune system activity.

Secondary response

A stronger and faster immune response that occurs upon re-exposure to an antigen, resulting in higher levels of antibodies.

Passive immunity

Immunity acquired through the transfer of antibodies from mother to fetus or through breast milk.

IgA

An antibody found in mucous membranes and breast milk, important for protecting epithelial tissues.

IgE

An antibody involved in allergic reactions.

Neutralization

The ability of antibodies to bind to and inactivate viruses or other harmful substances.

Phagocytosis

The process by which cells engulf and ingest foreign particles or pathogens.

Opsonization

The process of coating pathogens or foreign particles with antibodies to enhance phagocytosis.

Antibodies

Proteins produced by the immune system in response to the presence of antigens. They can neutralize toxins, facilitate phagocytosis, and activate complement.

Toxins

Harmful substances produced by bacteria or other organisms that can cause damage to cells and tissues.

Tetanus

A disease caused by a bacterial toxin that affects the nervous system and causes muscle stiffness and spasms.

Immune complex

A combination of an antibody and an antigen that can activate complement and trigger immune responses.

Complement

A group of proteins in the blood that can be activated by immune complexes and play a role in immune defense.

Cytotoxic T cells

T cells that can directly kill infected or abnormal cells.

T helper cells

T cells that help coordinate and regulate immune responses.

Cytokines

Signaling molecules produced by immune cells that regulate immune responses and cell communication.

Hypersensitivity

An exaggerated immune response to an antigen that can result in disease or damage to the body.

Type 1 hypersensitivity

A hypersensitivity reaction mediated by IgE antibodies, often associated with allergies and asthma.

Anaphylaxis

A severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can cause difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, and other symptoms.

Type 2 hypersensitivity

A hypersensitivity reaction that targets specific cells or tissues, often resulting in cell destruction or damage.

Hemolysis

The breakdown of red blood cells, often caused by immune reactions or incompatible blood transfusions.

Type 2 hypersensitivity

A tissue-specific, cytotoxic immune response where antibodies attack the body's own cells, causing damage.

Type 3 hypersensitivity

Mediated by immune complexes, which are circulating complexes of antigens and antibodies that can get stuck in organs, leading to complement activation, inflammation, and organ damage.

Type 4 hypersensitivity

Cell-mediated immune response mediated by cytotoxic T cells, where T cells bind to target cells and release enzymes and proteins to destroy them.