Chronic Inflammation Flashcards
What are 4 causes of chronic inflammation?
- Unresolved acute inflammation
- Persistent infection by resistant pathogen
- Hypersensitivity - autoimmune (body fights itself) or unregulated immune response (too much)
- Toxic materials - silica in lungs (exogenous) or cholesterol in vessels (endogenous, atherosclerosis)
What is the most prevelant cell in acute vs chronic inflammation?
In acute, neutrophils
In chronic, macrophages, plasma cells, lymphocytes
What is the typical ending of chronic inflammation?
Fibroblasts and angiogenesis, granulation tissue forms, scarring, loss of function, possible disease
How long does chronic inflammation last?
Weeks to months
What is the process of angiogenesis?
Hypoxic cells release vascular endothelial growth factors and enzymes, forming new vessels
When and why does angiogenesis occur?
When we have thrombus in vessel, so phagocytes can access it and flatten it down
Also at malignant tumours so they have the potential to be broken down
What is granulation tissue?
Tissue that replaces our tissue when we have had damage
How is granulation tissue formed?
Angiogenesis occurs in an inflammatory mass, allowing fibroblasts, macrophages and plasma proteins to access site. Fibroblasts lay down collagen, replacing exudate
What is the role of lymphocytes in chronic inflammation?
Killer cells have granules to kill cells
T-helper cells release cytokines and interferons which recruit other WBC’s to the site
B cells produce antibodies and form memory cells
What is granulomatous inflammation?
Nothing to do with granulation tissue - may or may not involve it
Characterised by presence of granulomas in tissue/organs
When do we form granulomas?
When our body is dealing with something it cant get rid of, so it forms a barrier around t to protect rest of body
What are giant cells?
Granulomas. Large, multi-nucleated cells filed with cytoplasm
Bundle of monocytes and epithelioid macrophages that failed to destroy pathogen.
Purpose of giant cells and where found?
To be able to efficiently remove/phagocytose foreign or resistant materials
Found in chronic inflammation and other granulomatous conditions
What are langhans cells and where are the found?
Giant cells with nucleus all around rim and eusinophillic cytoplasm in middle
Found in infections of tuberculosis, leprosy and syphilis
How are silicon granulomas formed?
Silicon most commonly in breast implants leaks and forms vacuole granulomas in body. Can’t be removed naturally
