Aberrant Immune System

Question 1

Inflammation

Answer 1

process by which the body’s immune system responds to irritants and protects the body from invading organisms (i.e. bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.)

Question 2

Inflammation main features

Answer 2

1. increase in blood flow to affected area

2. release of various molecules by body’s cells

Question 3

Cardinal Signs of Inflammation

Answer 3

pain, redness, swelling, heat, and loss of function

Question 4

What releases Histamine

Answer 4

mast cells

Question 5

What does histamine cause

Answer 5

1. causing contraction of endothelium cells–> increased capillary permeability–> SWELLING–> nociceptors–> PAIN & JOINT IMMOBILITY
2. relaxation of smooth muscle cells —> vasodilation –> HEAT AND REDNESS
3. trigger the release of cytokines to recruit WBC’s

Question 6

Are cytokines pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory

Answer 6

either pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory

Question 7

Cytokines

Answer 7

Small proteins that control the activity of the immune system and other blood cells
-chemokines /chemotaxis

Question 8

What does cytokines influence?

Answer 8

The interactions and communication between different immune cells, allowing a coordinated response to injury and illness

Question 9

Inflammatory conditions

Answer 9

certain medical chronic conditions are characterized by inflammation
-itis 
examples:
Rheumatoid arthritis 
myocarditis 
inflammatory bowel disease
multiple sclerosis

Question 10

Acute Inflammation –

What can cause inflammation?

Answer 10

pathogens (bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites)
molecules. (toxins and drugs)
Foreign proteins 
physical trauma 
etc

Question 11

Acute inflammation–

what is arachidonic acid

Answer 11

fatty acid found in cell membranes that is released from cell membranes during normal metabolic processes, cell death, or injury

Question 12

Acute Inflammation–

What is arachidonic acid activated by?

Answer 12

phospholipase A2

Question 13

What are eicosanoids?

Answer 13

signaling molecules made by oxidation of fatty acids

ex.) leukotrienes, prostaglandins

Question 14

Eicosanoids

What does Arachidonic acid derive into?

Answer 14

Lipooxygenase (LPO) and cyclooxygenase (COX1, COX2)

Question 15

Eicosanoids

Answer 15

Phospholipase A2–> Arachidonic acid–> 1. Lipooxygenase (LPO) [–> Leukotrienes] 2. Cyclooxygenase (COX 1, COX 2 )[–>prostaglandins]

Question 16

What enzyme makes Leukotrienes?

Answer 16

Lipooxygenase (LPO)

Question 17

What are the roles of Leukotrienes?

Answer 17

-Dilation of LOCAL blood vessels
-recruitment of leukocytes (neutrophils) to areas that need them
- + chemotaxis
- causing contraction of endothelium cells –> increased capillary permeability –> SWELLING–>nociceptors–> PAIN &JOINT IMMOBILITY
Relaxation of smooth muscle cells–> vasodilation–> HEAT &REDNESS
trigger release of cytokines and recruit WBC’S

Question 18

Similarities between Histamine and Leukotrienes

Answer 18

• causing contraction of endothelium cells –> increased capillary permeability –> SWELLING–>nociceptors–> PAIN &JOINT IMMOBILITY
  Relaxation of smooth muscle cells–> vasodilation–> HEAT &REDNESS
  trigger release of cytokines and recruit WBC’S

Question 19

What is positive chemotaxis?

Answer 19

if the movement is TOWARD a higher concentration of the chemical in question/ stimulus

Question 20

Other mediators of inflammation

Answer 20

acute phase reactant proteins (serum concentrations increase or decrease by at least 25 % during inflammatory states; CRP trend is useful for monitoring resolution or progression of an inflammatory process)
complement proteins (plasma proteins that induce a series of inflammatory responses that help to fight infection)
interferons, interleukins, chemokines, and beyond

Question 21

Chronic Inflammation

Answer 21

inflammation= consequences of inflammatory mediator release

Question 22

Chronic inflammation-

Mediators involved in chronic inflammation

Answer 22

[mediators = proteins, carbohydrates, lipid compounds; initiate, prolong, promote or stop the process of inflammation]
these mediator can either directly damage your body or indirectly damage your body recruiting other mediators or cells to the local site of injury [i.e. WBCs that are recruited by inflammatory mediators –> release hydrolytic/degradative enzymes–> damage both foreign pathogens + own body cells]
pain [stimulation of nerve cells - nociceptors]

Question 23

What causes chronic inflammation?

Answer 23

Viruses [reactive oxygen species (secreted by neutrophils) –> damage cells DNA–> cancer]
Autoimmune diseases [genetic?]

Question 24

The inflammatory Response’s Effect on Body:

Pyrexia

Answer 24

Fever

Two important reasons: 1. Killing off pathogens 2. speeding up important protective chemical reactions

Question 25

Pyrexia:

What is the internal trigger of a fever?

Answer 25

interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF- alpha)
macrophages secrete IL -1 –> causes the synthesis and release of prostaglandin E –> hypothalamus raises body temperature –> pyrexia n

Question 26

The inflammatory Response’s Effect on Body:

Leukocytosis

Answer 26

Abnormally high white blood cell count in the blood
also triggered by release of IL-1/TNF alpha
triggers bone marrow to produce more WBC’s

Question 27

The inflammatory Response’s Effect on Body:

Acute phase reactant proteins

Answer 27

also a result of IL-1/TNF alpha

Liver synthesis and releases acute phase reactant proteins –> i.e CRP/haptoglobin/fibrinogen

Question 28

Cachexia

Answer 28

= wasting away of body fat and muscle as a result of chronic disease processes/inflammation
TNF-alpha are being released for an extended amount of time
TNF alpha causes body to improperly utilize and absorb fat from the diet [there is enough food but body can’t use it properly due to chronic inflammation]