acute and chronic inflammation

Question 1

define inflammation?

Answer 1

• the body’s response to injury or infection using different types of cells

Question 2

what are the different classifications of inflammation?

Answer 2

• acute / neutrophill mediated
• chronic / macrophage/lymphocyte mediated

Question 3

what cells are involved in acute inflammation?

Answer 3

neutrophil polymorphs

Question 4

what is a neutrophil polymorph, where is it made, and whats its lifespan?

Answer 4

• a type of white blood cell
• made in bone marrow
• 2 or 3 days

Question 5

describe the structure of a neutrophil polymorph.

Answer 5

• poly lobed nucleus
• contains lysosomes
• contain cytoplasmic granules full of enzymes that kill bacteria

Question 6

whats the role of neutrophil polymorphs and what happens when they die?

Answer 6

• phagocytose debris and bacteria
• first cells to arrive at the site of acute inflammation
• release chemicals that attract other inflammatory cells such as macrophages which then eventually come and engulf them

Question 7

what cells are involved in chronic inflammation?

Answer 7

• macrophages
• lymphocytes

Question 8

whats the role of a macrophage?

Answer 8

• phagocytose debris and bacteria
• transport material to lymph nodes
• may transport material to lymphocytes
• long life span - months to years

Question 9

whats the role of lymphocytes?

Answer 9

• long-lived cells (years)
• produces chemicals involved in controlling inflammation and antibodies from B-lymphocytes
• immunological memory for past infections and antigens

Question 10

whats the role of a fibroblast?

Answer 10

• produce collagenous connective tissue involved in scarring following some types of inflammation

Question 11

what is the sequence of acute inflammation?

Answer 11

• injury or infection
• neutrophils arive and phagocytose and release enzymes
• macrophages arrive and phagocytose
• either resolution with clearance of inflammation or progression to chronic inflammation

Question 12

what are some examples of acute inflammation?

Answer 12

• acute appendicitis
• frostbite
• strepococcal sore throat

Question 13

whats the sequence of chronic inflammation?

Answer 13

• either progression from acute inflammation or starts as chronic inflammation such as infectios monoculceosis
• no or very few neutrophils
• macrophages and lymphocytes, then usually fibroblasts
• can resilve if no tissue damage but often ends up with repair and formation of scar tissue

Question 14

what are granulomas?

Answer 14

• a particular type of chronic inflammation with collections of macrophages/histocytes
  surrounded by lymphocytes
• only seen in cases of TB, leprosy, crohn’s, foreign material

Question 15

when are granulomas seen?

Answer 15

• chrons disease
• foreign material in tissue

Question 16

what are some similarities and differences of acute vs chronic inflammation?

Answer 16

SIMILARITIES:
- both involve types of immune cells
- in both types, vascular changes occur to recruit immune cells to the site of inflammation
DIFFERENCES:
- sudden vs slow onset
- short vs long duration
- acute usually resolves whereas chronic may never resolve

Question 17

what are the first cells on scene to acute inflammation?

Answer 17

neutrophil polymorphs

Question 18

how do endothelial cells differ in sites of infection?

Answer 18

• become sticky so inflammatory cells can stick to them
• grow into areas of damage to form new capillary vessels

Question 19

how does ibuprofen and other NSAIDs treat inflammation in the body?

Answer 19

blocks the bodys production of prostoglandins

Question 20

name 3 medications which can be used in inflammatory cases?

Answer 20

• corticosteroids
• antihistamines
• NSAIDs

Question 21

what are some causes of acute inflammation?

Answer 21

• microbial infections
• hypersensitivity reactions
• physical agents eg trauma
• chemicals eg acids
• tissue necrosis

Question 22

describe what happens in the early stages of acute inflammation?

Answer 22

• oedema fluid, fibrin, and neutrophil polymorphs accumulate in the extracellular spaces of the damaged tissue

Question 23

what are the 3 stages of EARLY acute inflammatory response?

Answer 23

• changes in vessel calibre and consequently flow
• increased vascular permeability and formation of the fluid exudate
• formation of the cellular exudate - emigration of the neutrophil polymorphs into the extravascular space

Question 24

describe the vasuclar component of inflammation?

Answer 24

• increase in diameter (calibre) of blood vessels
• increase in local blood flow
• increase in hydrostatic pressure bc of inc flow causes for much more fluid to leave the vessel then to return - also more plasma proteins, increasing the colloid osmotic pressure
• causing oedema - excess fluid in extravascular space - inflammation

Question 25

describe the process of the accumulation of fluid exudate.

Answer 25

• inc vascular permeability - more large molecules such as proteins can escape
• includes immunoglobins and fibrin - important in the destruction of microorganisms
• constantly drained away by the lymph system and replaced by new exudate

Question 26

describe what occurs during the neutrophil polymorph margination and adhesion?

Answer 26

• because of the higher amount of fluid loss from the blood inside the vessels, instead of the cells flowing through the centre of the vessel, they make contact with the endothelial cells lining the inside of the vessel more frequently
• it is also more sticky so sticks to the wall
• this is termed pavementing

Question 27

what cells are involved in inflammation`/

Answer 27

• neutrophil polymorphs
• macrophages
• lymphocytes
• endothelial cells
• fibroblasts

Question 28

whats the role of endothelial cells in inflammation?

Answer 28

• line capillary blood vessels in areas of inflammation
• become sticky in areas of inflammation so inflammatory cells adhere to them
• become porous to allow inflammatory cells to pass into tissues
• grow into areas of damage to form new capillary vessels

Question 29

what are the physiological benefits of inflammation?

Answer 29

• Pathogen Elimination: Targets and destroys harmful microorganisms.
• Removal of Dead Cells: Clears cellular debris and dead tissue.
• Containment: Prevents spread of infection or damage.
• Tissue Repair: Releases growth factors for healing.
• Increased Blood Flow: Delivers nutrients, oxygen, and removes waste.
• Enhanced Immune Response: Recruits and activates immune cells.
• Pain as a Protective Signal: Discourages movement to protect the area.

Question 30

summarise the pathophysiology for inappropriate inflammation?

Answer 30

• Autoimmune Disorders: Immune cells mistakenly target self-tissues.
• Allergies and Hypersensitivities: Harmless substances cause exaggerated immune reactions.
• Chronic Inflammatory Diseases: Continuous inflammation damages tissues and leads to fibrosis.
• Metabolic Inflammation: Fat cells and blood sugar abnormalities drive low-grade inflammation.
• Persistent Infections: Incomplete clearance of pathogens leads to ongoing immune activation.
• Environmental and Stress Factors: Toxins and stress dysregulate immune response and increase inflammation.