Module 3: Topic 2: Inflammation

Question 1

What is the inflammatory process?

Answer 1

The inflammatory response, our body’s second line of
defense against invading microorganisms, is nonspecific, is
rapidly initiated, and has no memory cells.

Question 2

List three plasma protein biochemical barriers

Answer 2

Complement System

Clotting System

Kinin System

Question 3

Name two antimicrobial peptides produced by epithelial cells:

Answer 3

Cathelicins

Defensins

Question 4

Name three pathways that complement system can be activated

Answer 4

Classical Pathway

Alternate Pathway

Lectin Pathway

Question 5

What does activation of the complement pathway do?

Answer 5

Opsonization

Anaphylatoxin Activation

Cell Lysis

Leukocyte Chemotaxis

Question 6

Anaphylatoxin Activation

Answer 6

Anaphylatoxins, or complement peptides, are fragments (C3a, C4a and C5a) that are produced as part of the activation of the complement system.[2] Complement components C3, C4 and C5 are large glycoproteins that have important functions in the immune response and host defense.[3] They have a wide variety of biological activities and are proteolytically activated by cleavage at a specific site, forming a- and b-fragments.[4] A-fragments form distinct structural domains of approximately 76 amino acids, coded for by a single exon within the complement protein gene. The C3a, C4a and C5a components are referred to as anaphylatoxins:[4][5] they cause smooth muscle contraction, histamine release from mast cells, and enhanced vascular permeability.

Question 7

What does activation of clotting cascade produce?

Answer 7

• Prevents spread of microorganisms
• Contains microorganisms and foreign bodies at the site of greatest inflammatory cell activity, and
• Provides a framework for repair and healing.

Question 8

What plasma composites interact to activate the coagulation cascde?

Answer 8

Plasmin and Hageman factor (Factor XII)

Question 9

Know these cells

Answer 9

Many different types of cells are involved in the inflammatory process including mast cells, granulocytes(neutrophils,
eosinophils, basophils), monocytes/macrophages, NK cells
and lymphocytes, and cellular fragments (platelets).

Question 10

When is the inflammatory system activated?

Answer 10

The inflammatory response is initiated upon tissue injury
or when PAMPs are recognized by PRRs on cells of the
innate immune system.

Question 11

What do mast cells release?

Answer 11

Mast cells are central cells of inflammation and release histamine, chemotactic factors, cytokines, leukotrienes, prostaglandins, growth factors, and other mediators.

Question 12

What do platelets do?

Answer 12

Platelets interact with the coagulation cascade to stop
bleeding and release a number of mediators that promote
and control inflammation.

Question 13

What do neutrophils do?

Answer 13

Neutrophils are the predominant phagocyte of early inflammation. They are attracted to the inflammatory site by chemotactic factors.

Question 14

What do Eosinophils do?

Answer 14

Eosinophils help control mast cell vascular mediators and
defend against parasite infection.

Question 15

What do Basophils do?

Answer 15

Eosinophils help control mast cell vascular mediators and
defend against parasite infection.

Question 16

What do monocytes/macrophages do?

Answer 16

The monocyte/macrophage is the predominant phagocyte
in the late inflammatory response, is highly phagocytic, is
responsive to cytokines, and promotes wound healing.

Monocytes and macrophages arrive at the inflammatory
site later than neutrophils and remain longer to clean up
debris and promote wound healing.

Question 17

List stages of phagocytosis:

Answer 17

The stages of phagocytosis include recognition and adherence, engulfment, lysosomal fusion, and destruction.

Question 18

Local signs of inflammation:

Answer 18

Local manifestations of inflammation are the result of the
vascular changes associated with the inflammatory process,
including vasodilation and increased capillary permeability.

The symptoms include redness, heat, swelling, and pain.

Question 19

What are the functions of the vascular changes during inflammation?

Answer 19

The functions of the vascular changes are to dilute toxins,
carry plasma proteins and leukocytes to the injury site, and
carry bacterial toxins and debris away from the site.

Question 20

What are the three primary signs of systemic inflammation?

Answer 20

The three primary systemic effects of inflammation are
fever, leukocytosis, and increase in levels of circulating
plasma proteins.

McCance, Kathryn L.; Huether, Sue E. (2015-06-08). Pathophysiology: The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children (Pathophysiology the Biologic Basis) (Page 222). Elsevier Health Sciences. Kindle Edition.

Question 21

Discuss chronic inflammation:

Answer 21

Chronic inflammation can be a continuation of acute inflammation that lasts 2 weeks or longer. It also can occur as a distinct process without much preceding acute inflammation.

Chronic inflammation is characterized by a dense infiltration of lymphocytes and macrophages. The body may wall
off and isolate the infection to protect against tissue damage
by formation of a granuloma.

Question 22

Fever

Answer 22

Induced by mediator released from neutrophils and macrophages, acts on the hypothalamus.

Other fever details from PP:

Evolutionary conservation

Endogenous pyrogens (IL-1, RNF, INFa, IL-6)

Hypothalamus, raise set point via prostaglandins, peripheral vasoconstriction, shivering, intermediary metabolism.

Question 23

Phagocytosis (info from PP)

Answer 23

When phagocyte ingests the antigen & dies the cell wall deteriorates and the enzymes are released into tissue

Alpha-1 , a plasma protein produced by the liver inhibits much of this damage

A deficiency of this plasma protein causes a specific type of emphysema

All cellular components play a role

• PMN (polymorphonuclear luekocyte) & macrophage are most important
• PMNs are first on the scene
• Macrophage is large

Matures in tissue

T cell facilitates maturation

Associated with Chronic vs Acute illness

• Bacteria can survive inside (TB, Salmonella)

Question 24

Acute inflammation sequence of events

(pictograph)

Answer 24

Question 25

Acute inflammatory response

(pictograph)

Answer 25

Question 26

Inflammatory phases

Question 27

Plasma Kinin Cascade

Question 28

Principal inflammation mediators

Question 29

Mast Cell Degranulation Effects