Chronic Inflammation Flashcards
Define chronic inflammation
Inflammation in which the cell population is lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages. No neutrophils.
What does chronic inflammation feature?
Tissue or organ damage in form of necrosis and loss of function. Healing and repair in form of granulation tissues, scarring and fibrosis.
Does chronic inflammation only occur after acute?
No, chronic inflammation can be a progression from acute or can arise as a primary pathology.
Does granulation tissue resolve entirely?
No, left with a scar or fibrosis
Describe the general clinical presentation of chronic inflammation
Vague, no specific sore bit, malaise and weight loss, loss of function
Mechanism for granulation tissue
Capillaries grow into inflammatory mass Access of plasma proteins Macrophages from blood and tissue Fibroblasts lay down collagen to repair damaged tissue Collagen replaces inflammatory exudate
Functions of granulation tissue
Patches tissue defects
Replaces dead or necrotic tissue
Contracts and pulls together
Products of granulation tissue
Fibrous tissue i.e. scar
Fibrosis as a problem
Progression to chronic inflammation
Define autoimmune disease
Autoantibodies directed against own cell and tissue components
Damage or destroy organs, tissues, cells, cell components
Role of lymphocytes
Part of immune system, immune response and immune memory
2 types of lymphocytes
T and B cells
Role of plasma cell
Antibody production
Role of B Cell
Facilitate immune response and act with macrophages. Immune memory.
T Cell function
Produce cytokines and interferons, damage and kill other cells and destroy antigens
NK cell functions
Destroy antigens and cells
