inflammation Flashcards
What is inflammation?
A complex and tightly regulated process which = Non specific response to cellular injury designed to remove the cause and consequence of that injury
What would happen without inflammation?
We would struggle to heal wounds, fail to fight infection and be susceptible to cellular injury
What are the canonical cardinal signs/features of inflammation? (Acute)
Redness (RUBOR)
Heat (CALOR)
Swelling (TUMOUR)
Pain (DOLOR)
What are the causes of inflammation?
Pathogens, Allergens, Auto-antigens, physical damage, extreme temperatures Non-apoptotic cell death
What cells in our body undergo inflammation?
ALL
When can inflammation occur?
some examples are Infection Autoimmunity Hypersensitivity Trauma Fibrotic disease Cancer
What is acute inflammation?
Short term rapid response non-specific to cellular injury
Instantaneous changes to blood flow
recruitment of immune cells
Why is there a change in blood flow in acute inflammation and what is the sign?
Bc of structural changes that occur in the microvasculature of tissue
Redness on skin
What does the structural change in microvasculature result in ?
(Change in blood flow) &
Accumulation of proteins and fluid and recruitment of immune cells to site of inflammation (swollen)
Where is the interstitium / interstitial layer located?
The intermediate layer between the epithelium and the vascular endothelium
What cells are resident in the interstitium?
Immune cells: Resident macrophages, mast cells
Dendritic cells?
What’s cells are present in the vasculature ?
White blood cells (prominently neutrophils)
Lymphocytes
Plasma and protein contents
What causes the release of signals activating the immune response after damage?
Non-apoptotic cell death ( in tissue and vasculature )
Detection of forgeign
What releases vasodilators ?
Immune cells esp Mast cells (but also basophils and platelets) release them rapidly upon activation/recognition of damage or recognition patterns
What are the 2 main vasodilators?
Histamine, nitric oxide
What vascular changes occur during inflammation?
Increased permeability
Dilation of bv (wider)
Reduced flow
Plasma leakage into interstitial membrane
What are the benefits of increased vascular permeability and leakage?
Increases:
Antibodies
Protein
What vascular changes are caused by vasodilators?
increased permeability
dilation of bv (wider)
reduced blood flow
plasma leakage into the interstitium
In what order do the events occur when there is cellular damage?
- inflammatory signals produced
- vasodilators released
- vascular changes occur
what benefits does increased vascular permeability and leakage bring?
increases:
- amount of ab to site, if specific then may be able to kill patho etc.
- protein in tissue site which allows increased activation of immune cells and source of protein for tissue repair to occur
- physical barrier
- leukocyte migration
What are some soluble mediators released at an injury?
histamine prostaglandins cytokines (TNF, IL-1) chemokines recruitment and production of complement (C5a, C3a, C4a)
What is the primary sources of histamine and what are its actions?
- Mast cells, basophils, platelets
- vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, endothelial activation
What are prostaglandins produced by and what actions do they carry out?
- Mast cells, leukocytes
- vasodilation, PAIN AND FEVER
What are cytokines produced by and what are their functions?
(TNF, IL-1)
- MACROPHAGES, endothelial cells, mast cells
- endothelial activation (Adhesion molecules), fever, malaise, pain, anorexia - lethargy, shock
