Pathology - Inflammation & Tissue Repair Flashcards
What are the main characteristics of acute inflammation
1) changes in vascular flow = transient vasoconstriction followed by vasodilation
2) increased vascular permeability
3) leukocytes recruitment = margination, transmigration, migration (neutrophils 6-24 hours, monocytes 24-48 hours)
4) phagocytosis
5) termination of acute inflammatory response
Describe the vascular changes in acute inflammation
- initial transient contraction of arteries lasting for a few seconds (serotonin)
- vasodilation mediated by histamine, nitric oxide and prostaglandin leading to increased blood flow
- increased vascular permeability mostly induced by contraction of venule endothelium to form gaps
- stasis due to increased viscosity
What are the mechanisms responsible for increased vascular permeability in inflammation
- contraction of venule endothelium to form intracellular gaps by histamine, serotonin, bradykinin and substance p
- direct injury to endothelium
- leukocyte mediated leakage
- increased transcytosis induced by VEGF
How are leukocytes delivered to the site of injury
-multistep process mediated and controlled by adhesion molecules and chemokines
1) margination = when leukocytes adopt a peripheral position along the epithelium (rolling, activation, adhesion)
2) transmigration = movement across the endothelium
3) migration = movement into interstitial tissues towards chemotactic stimuli
What is chemotaxis of leukocytes and describe the mediators involved
-chemotaxis: movement of white cells along a chemical gradient
-mediators:
exogenous = bacterial products
endogenous = cytokines (IL-8), complement (C5a), arachidonic acid metabolites (LTB4)
What stimuli cause the production of inflammatory mediators
substances released from necrotic cells, microbial products, cell injury, mechanical irritation
What are some chemical mediators of acute inflammation and their actions
- histamine: vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, chemotactic, pain
- serotonin: vasoconstriction, increased vascular permeability, platelet aggregation
- prostaglandins:
PGD2 = vasodilation and increased vascular permeability
PGE2 = pain and fever
PGI2 = vasodilation and inhibits platelet aggregation - leukotrienes: recruit leukocytes (chemotaxis, adhesion, activation)
- cytokines: induce endothelial adhesion molecules, acute phase response
- nitric oxide:
iNOS = inducible, cytotoxic metabolite to kill bacteria
eNOS = endothelial, vasodilation and smooth muscle relaxation - PAF: degranulation, vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, chemotaxis, adhesion
- kinins: increase vascular permeability, vasodilation, smooth muscle contraction, pain
- complement: leukocyte chemotaxis and activation
What mediators of inflammation are derived from cells
- preformed: histamine, serotonin
- newly synthesised: arachidonic acid metabolites, ROS, PAF, NO, cytokines
What cells release histamine
mast cells
basophils
platelets
What chemical mediators are responsible for pain, fever and tissue damage
IL1, TNF, prostaglandins (PGE2), bradykinin, oxygen metabolites, lysosomal enzymes
What is the complement system and how does activation occur
-plasma protein system involved in immunity against microbes
-20 proteins in plasma in inactive form, activation by proteolysis, activated protein fragments serve as proteases
-3 pathways: all result in cleavage and activation of C3
classical = triggered by antigen-antibody reaction
alternate = triggered by bacterial endotoxin
lectin = triggered by microbe carbohydrates interacting with mannose-binding lectin
How do activated complement products mediate acute inflammation
- C3a, C5a mediate histamine release from mast cells, causing increased vascular permeability and vasodilation
- C5a enhances leukocyte adhesion, chemotaxis and activation
- C3b acts as an opsonin on microbe to lead to phagocytosis
- C5b forms the MAC causing cell lysis
Why do neutrophils predominate in the first 6-24 hours
more numerous in the blood
respond more rapidly to chemokines
attach more firmly to adhesion molecules
What is the role of leukocytes in acute inflammation
recognition/attachment of opsonins
kill microbes by phagocytosis
amplify inflammation by releasing products
What are the different types of acute inflammation
serous = transudates with low protein content (burns, effusions)
fibrinous = exudates with large amounts of fibrinogen (inflammation in body cavities)
purulent = exudates with neutrophils, necrotic cells and edema (appendicitis)
ulcer = localised erosions of epithelial surfaces