lesson 6: Inflammation process Flashcards
What is the definition of inflammation?
Innate and immediate response of the organism involving cells, blood vessels, and chemical mediators to eliminate the cause of tissue damage, clear necrotic cells, and repair tissues.
What are the types of aggressors that can trigger inflammation?
- Biological: viruses, bacteria, tumors
- Physical: thermal (burns), mechanical (trauma), ionizing (radiotherapy, UV)
- Chemical: acids, toxins
What are the two main types of inflammation based on duration?
- Acute: resolves in a short period of time (days)
- Chronic: persists for weeks to years and can cause further tissue damage
What is the difference between local and systemic inflammation?
- Local: immune response is directed to the focus of tissue damage
- Systemic: immune system activated in a generalized way with inflammatory markers in the bloodstream
What are the main features of the vascular phase of inflammation?
- Vasodilation
- Increased vascular permeability
What causes capillary vasodilation during inflammation?
Affected cells release molecules like prostaglandins and histamine, and endothelial cells release nitric oxide.
What are the signs of inflammation?
- Heat
- Redness
- Swelling
- Pain
What is chemotaxis?
Movement of a cell along the concentration gradient of an attractant molecule.
Which cells are the first to arrive at the site of injury during inflammation?
Tissue cells (fibroblasts) are the first, followed by neutrophils.
What are the steps involved in the cellular phase of inflammation?
- Rolling
- Adhesion and polarization
- Diapedesis (transmigration)
What happens during the process of margination?
Inflammation reduces blood flow, allowing neutrophils to move closer to the endothelial walls.
Fill in the blank: The binding of neutrophils to endothelial cells is tightened through the participation of _______.
integrins
What is the resolution phase of inflammation?
Damaged cells undergo apoptosis, macrophages clear debris, and anti-inflammatory molecules control inflammation.
What are the two activation states of macrophages?
- M1: proinflammatory
- M2: anti-inflammatory
What are the main proinflammatory mediators?
- Histamine
- Nitric oxide (NO)
- Prostaglandins
- Cytokines
- Chemokines
What role do interleukins (IL-10) play in inflammation?
They are anti-inflammatory mediators that limit and terminate the inflammatory response.
True or False: Chronic inflammation occurs when the inflammatory process is sufficient to eliminate the stimulus.
False
What are the consequences of chronic inflammation at the tissue level?
- Persistence of macrophages and lymphocytes
- DNA damage
- Chronic tissue swelling
- Autoimmune reactions
- Continuous release of inflammatory mediators
What is the relationship between acute and chronic inflammation?
Acute inflammation resolves tissue damage, while chronic inflammation maintains cellular activation and damages tissue.
