ICSS lecture notes Flashcards
When does acute inflammation occur?
- to the benefit of the individual
- when can it become harmful
Beneficial: in response to infection, in immunity
Harmful: autoimmunity, overreaction to the stimulus
What are the cells involved in acute inflammation?
Neutrophil polymorphs,(PRIMARY CELL involved). Also macrophages, lymphocytes
Describe neutrophil polymorphs
- life span
- role in acute inflammation
- short lived
- first on scene in acute inflammation. Contain cytoplasmic granules of enzymes that kill bacteria.
Usually die at the scene.
Describe macrophages
- life span
- role in acute inflammation
- long lived (months)
- Phagocytic, ingest bacteria and debris. May carry debris away. May present antigen to lymphocytes
Describe lymphocytes
- life span
- role in acute inflammation
- long lived (years)
- produce chemicals which attract other inflammatory cells. Immunological memory for past infections and antigens.
Describe the role of endothelial cells in acute inflammation
- line capillary blood vessels and become sticky in areas of inflammation for adherence
- become porous to allow cells involved in acute inflammation to enter
- cytokines may open structures in capillaries
examples of acute inflammation?
Acute appendicitis
Lobar pneumonia
examples of chronic inflammation?
- If acute appendicitis is not caught, appendix can rupture and lead to chronic inflammation
- Tuberculosis
Why is tuberculosis an example of chronic inflammation?
- no initial acute inflammation
- macrophages fail to kill ingested mycobacterium. Lymphocytes and macrophages appear.
What are prostaglandins?
Chemical mediators of inflammation
How (basic) do NSAIDs work?
Inhibit synthesis of prostaglandins
How (basic) do corticosteroids work?
Bind to DNA
Upregulate inhibitors of inflammation, downregulate chemical mediators of inflammation
What is the difference between resolution and repair folllowing tissue damage?
Resolution: initiating factor removed, tissue undamaged and able to regenerate
Repair: initiating factor still present, tissue damaged and unable to regenerate - replaced by fibrous tissue (collagen produced by fibroblasts).
Eg of cells which can regenerate - resolution
hepatocytes pneumocytes osteocytes skin epithelium gut epithelium all blood cells
What happens when liver cells are damaged?
What about when damage is prolonged?
- normally, liver is able to regenerate (resolution)
- prolonged damage, such as alcohol abuse, leads to cirrhosis: (repair, not resolution) and tissue is replaced by fibrous tissue
Describe the process of regeneration following abrasion of the skin (superficial skin wounds)
Scab forms over superficial damage, cells left to grow and regenerate.
Epidermis regrows.
What is healing by 1st intention in the skin?
When suture is possible .
Incision –> weak fibrin join by blood –> epidermal regrowth, collagen synthesis beneath –> strong collagen join (scar)
What is healing by 2nd intention in the skin?
Skin edges cannot be brought together by suture.
Capillaries and fibroblasts form granulation tissue. Eventually epidermal cells can grow in and a bigger scar is formed.
e.g of repair following damage in the body?
- heart after myocardial infarction
- brain after myocardial infarction
- spinal cord post-trauma
what is a fibrosis in the brain known as?
brain gliosis
What is laminar flow?
the flow of red blood cells through blood vessels
platelets are carried along. Endothelial cells act as teflon - anti-stick!
How does injury of endothelial cells lining capillaries lead to thrombus formation?
- ENDOTHELIAL DAMAGE - endothelial cell injury disturbs laminar flow
- collagen beneath is exposed: platelets stick and aggregate, releasing chemicals to attract other platelets in positive feedback.
- RBC also aggregate - THROMBUS FORMATION - fibrinogen polymerised to form fibrin. Fibrin deposition forms meshwork, thrombus added to and fills blood vessel.
Define thrombosis
Solid mass of blood constituents formed within intact vascular system during life.
What 3 factors cause thrombus?
change in vessel wall
change in blood flow
change in blood constituents