Chronic Inflammation Flashcards
Define chronic inflammation
Chronic response to injury with associated fibrosis
What are the main cells present in chronic inflammation?
Macrophages, giant cells and lymphocytes
What are the functions of macrophages?
Phagocytosis, antigen presentation and synthesis of cytokines, complement components, blood clotting factors and proteases
What are the functions of B lymphocytes?
Differentiate to produce antibodies. Mature in bone marrow
What are the functions of T lymphocytes?
Involved in control and some cytotoxic functions. Mature in the thymus
How do plasma cells appear histologically?
What is their function?
Lumpy chromatin, ‘clock face’ nucleus. Abundant pink/blue cytoplasm - ER, golgi apparatus.
Produce antibodies
What do eosinophils appear like histologically?
Look like oompa loompas with sunglasses on
Used in allergic reactions, parasite infections and some tumours
What is the function of fibroblasts/myofibroblasts?
Recruited by macrophages and produce collagen
What are giant cells?
How are giant cells formed?
When are they used?
Multinucleate cells
Formed by fusion of macrophages.
Frustrated phagocytosis - stimulus causes something which cannot be easily phagocytosed
What are the types of giant cells and what are they associated with?
Langhans - TB
Foreign body type - foreign material
Touton - fat necrosis (toot on fatty)
What are the effects of chronic inflammation?
Fibrosis e.g. chronic cholecystitis
Impaired function e.g. IBD
Atrophy e.g. gastric mucosa
Stimulation of immune response e.g. macrophage lymphocyte interactions
What is gastric ulceration?
Ulceration due to an imbalance of acid production and mucosal defence
What is Crohn’s?
A focal inflammatory infiltrate around the crypts, followed by ulceration of superficial mucosa. Later, inflammatory cells invade the deep mucosal layers and begin to organize into noncaseating granulomas. These extend through all layers of the intestinal wall, into the mesentery and the regional lymph nodes.
What are the common causes of cirrhosis?
Alcohol, infection with HBV/HCV, immunological, fatty liver disease, drugs and toxins.
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
An autoimmune disease with a localised and systematic immune response. Localised inflammation leads to joint destruction. Systemic immune response - can affect other organs and cause amyloidosis.
