Mediators of Inflammation Flashcards
where are mediators of inflammation secreted from (2)
cells or platelet derived mediators
which cell derived mediators
a) normally sequestered in intracellular granules & rapidly secreted by exocytosis
b) synthesized de novo
a) histamine
b) leukotriens, prostaglandins, cytokines
what are examples of mediator producing cells
macrophages, dendritic c, mast c, platelets, neutrophils, endothelium, some epithelial c
where are platelet derived mediators produced and give an example
produced mainly in liver & are present in circulation as inactive precursors e.g. complement proteins
what are the vasoactive amine mediators
histamine and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine)
what cells are histamine found in
mast cells, blood basophils & platelets
what do mast cells, blood basophils & platelets degranulate in response to
- physical injury; trauma, cold, heat
- binding of Ab to mast c→ immediate hypersensitivty reaction
- complements C3a & C5a (=anaphylotoxins)
- neuropeptides e.g. substance P
what receptor does histamine act on
H1 receptors are on microvasculature
what does histamine cause
dilation of arterioles, increase permeability of venules, contraction of some smooth muscle
what is the function of serotonin
functions as a neurotransmitter in gastrointestinal tract (GIT)
what are the arachidonic acid metabolites
arachidonic acid
prostaglandins (PG)
leukotriens (LT)
lipoxins
where are arachidonic acids derived from
from dietary sources or by conversion from essential fatty acid linoleic acid
how is arachidonic acid stored
present in esterified form in membrane phospholips, not free in the cell
how is arachidonic acid released
activation of kinases by external stimuli, mediators like C5a & increase in intracellular calcium levels which activate phospholipase A2 and stimulate release of AA from the membrane
how are prostaglandins generated
by the action of cyclooxygenases COX-1 & COX-2
what are important prostaglandins
- Thromboxane A2=TxA2 present in platelets, is a potent platelet aggregating agent vasoconstrictor
- Prostacyclin=PGI2 synthesized in endothelium. Functions are; vasodilator, potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation
- PGD2 & PGE2 made by mast cells, are vasodilators, increase permeability of postcapillary venules→edema
- PGF2 stimulates the contraction of uterine & bronchial smooth muscles & small arterioles
PGF2 is hyperalgesic. what does this mean?
makes the skin hypersensitive to painful stimuli, involved in cytokine induced fever during infection
how are leukotriens produced
in leukocytes , mast cells by the action of lipooxygenases
what is the function of leukotriens
mainly involved in vascular & smooth muscle reactions & leukocyte recruitment
how are leukotriens different from histamine
they are more potent than histamine in increasing permeability & causing bronchospasm
what is the function of LTB4 (leukotriens)
potent chemotactic,
activator of neutrophils→aggregation, adhesion
generation of ROS
release of lysosomal enzymes
what do LTC4, LTD4, LTE4 (leukotriens) do
cause intense vasoconstriction, bronchospasm, increase in vascular permeability
what do lipoxins do
they supress inflammation
what does lipoxin do
they inhibit
• the recruitment of leukocytes,
• neutrophil chemotaxis
• adhesion to endothelium