INFLAMMATION LECTURE

1st line of defence

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

2nd line of defence

The inflammatory response that is quick, nonspecific, and localized, with the goals of neutralizing and limiting the cause of injury, cleaning the site through phagocytosis, and promoting healing.

Inflammatory cells

Neutrophils, monocytes (which become macrophages or dendritic cells), eosinophils, and lymphocytes, which play different roles in the immune response.

Phagocytosis

The process by which immune cells, particularly macrophages and neutrophils, capture and destroy invading bacteria or microorganisms by ingesting them.

Opsonization

The coding of phagocytosis by antibodies or complement proteins, which helps macrophages and neutrophils recognize and engulf pathogens more efficiently.

Complement system

A group of proteins produced by the liver that help inflammatory cells by inducing chemotaxis, attracting neutrophils to the injury site, and forming membrane attack complexes to destroy bacteria.

Chemical mediators of inflammation

Vasodilators such as prostaglandins, histamine, and nitric oxide, which increase vascular permeability, induce pain, and contribute to the inflammatory response.

Fever

A systemic effect of inflammation, characterized by the production of IL-1, IL-6, TNF, and prostaglandins, which can escape the inflammatory site and reach the brain stem, leading to an increase in body temperature.

Wound healing

The process of tissue repair, involving clotting, inflammation, proliferation, angiogenesis, collagen production, and the formation of granulation tissue.

Wound repair by primary intention

The healing process in which the wound edges are closely re-approximated, resulting in minimal scarring.

Wound repair by secondary intention

The healing process in which the wound is left open, leading to the formation of granulation tissue and potential scarring.

Adaptive immunity

The immune response mediated by lymphoid tissues, involving cell-mediated immunity (involving B and T cells) and humoral or antibody-mediated immunity (involving plasma cells and antibodies).

Antibodies

Proteins produced by plasma cells that play a role in humoral immunity, including IgG, IgM, IgA, and IgE, which have different functions and can provide passive immunity.

Cellular immunity

The immune response involving cytotoxic T cells, which can kill infected or cancerous cells, and T helper cells, which help coordinate the immune system's response.

Hypersensitivity

An altered immune response to an antigen that results in disease or damage to the individual, categorized into four types based on the mechanisms involved.