Immunity and Inflammation Flashcards
What are the types of Inflammation?
1.) Acute Inflammation
- A rapid, Short term immune response to infection, injury, or toxins
- Typically resolves within hours to days
2.) Chronic Inflammation
- Long term inflammation that persists beyond healing
- Causes continous tissue damage and organ dysfunction
Common causes of acute inflammation
1.) Infections
2.) Physical Injury
3.) Chemical exposure
4.) Allergic Reactions
5.) Tissue necrosis
What conditions might you see chronic inflammation
1.) Rheumatoid arthritis
2.) Tuberculosis
3.) Atherosclerosis
- Contributes to autoimmune disorders, cancer, and neurogenerative diseases.
What are the stages of inflammatory response?
1.) Vascular
2.) Cellular
3.) Systemic
Key points during vascular phase
1.) Breif vasoconstriction followed by vasodilation due to inflammatory mediators
2.) Increased capillary permeability (Allowing cells to reach injury site)
3.) Leads to edema, heat, swelling
Key Signs of Inflammation
1.) Redness
2.) Swelling
3.) Heat
4.) Pain
5.) Loss of function
What cells arrive first to the injury site
1.) Neutrophils (6-24 hours)
Followed by
2.) Monocytes/Macrophages (24-48 hours)
- Then, Phagocytosis occurs, where WBC engulf and destroy pathogens and debris
Key points of cellular phase
1.) WBC migrate to injury site
2.) Chemotaxis (Chemicals that direct WBC to injury site)
3.) Margination (WBC adhere to vessel walls)
4.) Diapedesis (WBC squeeze through capillary pores to enter tissue
Key Points of Systemic Response Phase
Inflammatory mediators induce systemic effects such as…
1.) Fever
2.) Lymphadenopathy (Enlarged lymph nodes)
3.) Leukocytosis (Increased WBC count)
4.) Anorexia, Fatigue, Weight loss
COX-1 Pathways
Produce Protective Prostaglandins (Gastric Mucus, Kidney perfusion, Clotting)
COX-2 Pathways
Produce Inflammatory Prostaglandins (Pain, Fever, Swelling)
Role of Neutrophils
FIRST RESPONDERS
- Phagocytize bacteria and debris
Role of Monocytes/Macrophages
Remove dead cells; Long lived phagocytes
Role of Lymphocytes
Involved in VIRAL infections and CHRONIC INFLAMMATION
Role of Eosinophils
Fight PARASITES; Involved in ALLERGIC REACTIONS
Role of Basophils/Mast Cells
Release HISTAMINE; Mediate Allergic Responses
Define Leukocytosis and Leukopenia
1.) Leukocytosis
- Elevated. WBC counts which indicates infection or inflammation
2.) Leukopenia
- Decreased WBC count occurs in some infections
What are the types of Immunity? Explain them
1.) Innate Immunity
- The body’s first line of defense, providing immediate, non-specific protection
2.) Adaptive Immunity
- A specific, learned response developed after antigen exposure, with memory for future protection
Components of Innate Immunity
1.) Anatomical Barriers (Skin, mucous membranes, Respiratory defense, GI tract, Other secretions: tears, sweat, urine)
2.) Cellular defense (Phagocytic cells: Macrophages and Neutrophils, Natural killer cells, Complement system; Group of proteins that enhance immune response)
3.) Chemical Defense (Cytokines, Interferons, Hydrochloric Acid)
Components of Adaptive Immunity
1.) Cell Mediated Immunity (T cells)
- Direct attack on infected cells
2.) Humoral Immunity (B cells and Antibodies)
- Production of antibodies that neutralize pathogens
What do CD4 Cells do?
Also called Helper T cells
Coordinate immune response by stimulating other immune cells
What do CD8 cells do?
Also called Cytotoxic T cells
Directly kill infected or abnormal cells
What do Regulatory T cells do?
Prevent autoimmune responses
What do B cells do?
1.) Mature into plasma cells, which produce immunglobulins (Igs) (Antibodies)
2.) Form memory B cells for long-term immunity
