Inflammation Flashcards Preview

PMY2107 Applied Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics > Inflammation > Flashcards

Flashcards in Inflammation Deck (39)
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1
Q

What is inflammation?

A

Complex biological reaction that occurs in vascularized tissues in response to harmful stimulus.
Recruits cells and molecules for defense from circulation to site of injury.

2
Q

What are the 5 signs of inflammation?

A
Pain - chemicals released at nerve endings
Redness - increased blood flow to site
Immobility - fluid accumulation
Swelling - fluid accumulation
Heat - increased blood flow to site
3
Q

What system controls inflammation?

A

Immune system

4
Q

Describe the immune system.

A

A system of biological processes and structures to protect against disease.

5
Q

What is the 2 parts of immune system called?

A

Innate immune system

Adaptive/acquired immune system

6
Q

Describe the innate immune system (4 points).

A

This is the first-line of defence and responds quickly to invaders but defends in a non-specific manner.
It can physically act to confine the invader and stop spread in the body.
Response in the same on re-exposure.

7
Q

What are the 4 barriers of the innate immune system?

A

Anatomic/physical barriers
Inflammatory barriers
Physiological barriers
Phagocytic barriers

8
Q

Describe the adaptive/acquired immune system.

A

Second line of defense with a slower immune response. Able to retain immunological memory hence faster and more specific response upon re-exposure. This system involves high specific cells and processes.

9
Q

What are the 4 features of the adaptive immune system?

A

Immunological memory
T cells and B cells
Antigen specific
Self/non-self recognition

10
Q

Why is the type of response involved in adaptive immune system called antigen specific?

A

Bodies can generate antibodies to specific antigens therefore, when we are re-exposed to the antigen, we have those antibodies in our immunological memory that can help target them more quickly.

11
Q

What is the role of HLA/Human Leukocyte Antigen?

A

To present foreign antigens to elicit T cell response.

12
Q

What is the role of MHC Class 1?

A

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen plays an important role in alerting the immune system to virally infected cells.

13
Q

Two types of inflammation. Chronic and Acute. Describe each.

A

Acute inflammation has a rapid onset and short duration and is the initial response of the body to harmful stimuli. Inflammation ceases when stimuli removed.
Chronic inflammation has a slow onset and prolonged duration.

14
Q

Give 3 examples of what can cause acute inflammation.

A

Infection, trauma/injury, allergic reaction, burns, chemical irritants.

15
Q

Give 3 examples of causes of chronic inflammation.

A

Cancer, cardiovascular disease, lupus, fibromyalgia, autoimmune disease, neurological disease.

16
Q

Give a short summary of what happens during acute inflammation.

A

Plasma cells and WBCs move into the affected area from the blood. Neutrophils are the predominant WBCs. Once these arrive at site, a cascade of biochemical events enhance immune response. Biochemical response can involve the vascular system and recruit other cell types.

17
Q

What are the two stages in acute inflammation?

A

Vascular stage

Cellular stage

18
Q

What causes chronic inflammation to develop?

A

When causative agent in acute inflammation is not resolved.

19
Q

Describe chronic inflammation.

A

Prolonged duration.

Stimulus is ongoing - simultaneous cycle of destruction and repair of tissue.

20
Q

What WBC is involved in acute inflammation?

A

Neutrophils

21
Q

What WBC is involved in chronic inflammation?

A

Macrophages and lymphocytes

22
Q

What is the role of macrophages in inflammation?

A

Responsible for phagocytosis.

Secreting pro-inflammatory mediators e.g. cytokines.

23
Q

Describe role of lymphocytes.

A

There is B and T lymphocytes.
T lymphocytes activate macrophages and aids in dealing with pathogens.
B lymphocytes produce antibodies that help fight against infectious agent.

24
Q

Macrophages involved in phagocytosis. What are the 4 different stages of phagocytosis.

A

Attachment, ingestion, killing, degradation

25
Q

What happens if tissue is not repaired in chronic inflammation? What is the consequence of this condition?

A

Fibrosis.
It is the pathological form of wound healing. Leads to the deposition of connective tissue or extracellular matrix material which renders parts of an organ or tissue as non-functional.

26
Q

What are the 3 causes of chronic inflammation?

A

Prolonged exposure to toxic agent.
Persistent injury/trauma.
Auto-immune disease.

27
Q

Give example of 3 autoimmune illnesses which can cause chronic inflammation.

A

Lupus
Rheumatoid arthritis
Psoriasis

28
Q

What are the 2 mediators of inflammation?

Describe them.

A

Cellular mediators - preformed and stored in granules.

Plasma derived mediators - components of coagulation, kinin, fibrin etc

29
Q

Give examples of cellular mediators.

A

Prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes - bioactive lipids - are oxygenated metabolites of arachidonic acid (eicosanoids) which contribute to inflammation.

30
Q

What is Arachidonic acid (AA)?

A

It is a component of phospholipid bilayers. Consists of 20-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids and 4 double bonds.

31
Q

What enzyme liberates arachidonic acid from cell membrane/phospholipids?

A

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2)

32
Q

How many isoenzymes are in the COX family? Name them.

A

COX1
COX2
COX3

33
Q

What are the two active sites of COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes?

A

Both have 2 active sites.

  1. Cyclooxygenase activity - converts AA to prostaglandin G2 (PGG2)
  2. Peroxidase activity - reduction of PGG2 to PGH2.
34
Q

What prostaglandin is a precursor for other different prostaglandins?

A

Prostaglandin H2.

35
Q

Name some therapeutic COX inhibitors.

A

Aspirin

NSAIDs - Naproxen, Ibuprofen, Celecoxib

36
Q

What are 3 prostaglandin synthase enzymes found in cells and tissues.

A

Prostacyclin synthase - makes PGI2
Thromboxane A synthase - makes TX2
Prostaglandin D synthase - makes PGD2

37
Q

Where is prostacyclin synthase found and what is its function?

A

Endothelial cells

Inhibits platelet aggregation, vasodilator

38
Q

Where is thromboxane A synthase found and what is its function?

A

Platelets

Induces platelet aggregation, vasoconstrictor

39
Q

Where is Prostaglandin D found and what is its function?

A

Brain and mast cells

Contraction of bronchial airways, regulates body temp (during sleep)