Chronic Inflammation Flashcards
Chronic inflammation arises when
acute inflammation fails to resolve, or distinctive properties of chronic inflammation are present from the outset
Acute inflmmation is mediated by cells of the _____ immune system
innate
Chronic inflammation involves both the innate and the _____ immune system
adaptive
Macrophages link innate and adaptive immunity/chronic inflammation by acting as _________ cells
antigen-presenting cells
What are the functions of antigen-presenting cells? (3)
- Engulfment of microbes or macromolecules
- Processing of microbes/macromolecules into fragements
- Presenting fragments to lymphocytes
Lymphocytes have a vast repertoire of receptors that recognise specific molecular shapes known as _____
epitopes
Immune reponses are generated when epitopes are recognised as ____
foreign
T lymphocytes include helper cell (Th) populations - these cells secrete _____ that regulate innate and adaptive immunity
cytokines
What is the function of the cytokine interferon-γ (IFNγ) secreted by Th1 cells? What does an abnormal response mediate?
Stimulates Th1 development and macrophage responses to intracellular pathogens - abnormal responses mediates autoimmunity
What is the function of the cytokine IL-4 secreted by Th2 cells? What does an abnormal response mediate?
Stimulates Th2 development and eosinophil responses to helminths (worms). Abnormal responses mediate allergy.
What is the function of cytokines IL-17 and IL-21 secreted by Th17 cells? What does an abnormal response mediate?
Stimulates Th17 development and epithelial responses to microbes (secretion of anti-microbial peptides, AMP, such as defensins, and GM-CSF that recruits neutrophils).
Abnormal responses mediate autoimmunity.
What is the function of the cytokine TGFβ secreted by Treg cells? What does deficient Treg function lead to?
TGFβ stimulates Tred development and suppresses inflammation (as a “fire extinguishes of other Th cell activities)
Deficient Treg function leads to excessive inflammation. and loss of tolerance
Name the cytokine(s) produced by Th1 cells, the cells they affect, their role in immunity and their pathology
IFNγ - macrophages - against intracellular pathogens - autoimmunity
Name the cytokine(s) produced by Th2 cells, the cells they affect, their role in immunity and their pathology
IL-4 - eosinophil - against helminths (worms) - allergy
Name the cytokine(s) produced by Th17 cells, the cells they affect, their role in immunity and their pathology
IL-17, IL-21 - epithelia, neutrophils - against extracellular pathogens - autoimmunity
Name the cytokine(s) produced by Treg cells, their role in immunity and their pathology
TGFβ, IL-10 - “fire-extinguishers”, tolerance - loss of tolerance
B lymphocytes differentiate into _____ cells
plasma
Plasma cells produce _______
antibodies
What are antibodies?
Proteins that bind to particular epitopes on target molecules (antigens)
List 5 kinds of environemental influences on chronic inflmmation
- Psychological stress
- Exercise
- Diet
- Obesity
- Commensal microbes
Describe how phsychological stress influences chronic inflammation
Psychological stress can act throug hthe sympathetic nervous system via noradrenaline to induce inflammatory cytokines
- TNF, IL-1β, IL-6
Describe how exercise influences chronic inflammation
Exercise suppresses inflammatory cytokines and reduces the risk of chronic metaboic and cardiovascular diseases.
Describe how diet influences chronic inflammation - in particular, how short-chain fatty acids and Omega-3-fatty acids play a role
short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs, such as butyrate) are produced in the colon by permentation of plant fibre, and activate GPR41/43 receptors. Omega-3-fatty acids bind GPR120.
These suppress inflammation.
Describe how obesity influences chronic inflammation
Hypertrophic adipose tissue releases:
- TNF, IL-1β, and IL-6
- SFAs which stimulate TLRs, ROS (from malfunctioning mitochondria) and DAMPs (from necrotic adipocytes)
These recruit inflammatory macrophages and Th1 cells