Theme 3: Inflammation and Infection (L4-7) Flashcards
What are the 2 different branches of the immune system?
Innate and adaptive
What is inflammation?
It is a protective response of vascularised tissues to infections and damaged tissues that brings cells and molecules of host defence from the circulation to the sites where they are needed, in order to eliminate the offending agents
How does inflammation act?
Serves to destroy, dilute or isolate the injurious agent and the elimination of necrotic cells and tissues
What are the 5 R’s of the inflammatory response?
Recognition
Recruitment
Removal
Regulation
Repair
What happens in acute inflammation?
Rapid onset
Short duration
Many neutrophils
Prominent characteristic response
What are the cardinal signs of inflammation?
Redness
Heat
Swelling
Pain
Loss of function
What is the vascular aspect of acute inflammation?
Dilation of small vessels - slowing of blood flow
Increased vascular permeability of microvasculature - plasma proteins and leukocytes leave circulation
What is the cellular aspect of acute inflammation?
Emigration of the leukocytes from micro circulation, accumulate at site of injury before activating to eliminate pathogen
What are the key inflammatory mediators?
Histamine - mast cell and basophil
Plasma proteins - liver
Prostaglandins - mast cell, basophil and neutrophil
Leukotrienes - mast cell, basophil and neutrophils
Cytokines - mast cell and macrophage
Chemokines - mast cell and macrophage
Which inflammatory mediators cause vasodilation?
Histamine
Plasma proteins
Prostaglandins
Cytokines
Which inflammatory mediators cause increased permeability?
Histamine
Plasma proteins
Prostaglandins
Leukotrienes
Cytokines
Which inflammatory mediators cause leukocyte recruitment?
Histamine
Plasma proteins
Prostaglandins
Leukotrienes
Cytokines
Chemokines
What is chronic inflammation?
Slow onset
Long duration
Monocytes/macrophages/lymphocytes
Less characteristic response
What are the 2 main cells of chronic inflammation?
Macrophages and lymphocytes
What are the functions of macrophages?
Phagocytosis
Initiate tissue repair
Secrete cytokines/chemokines
Activate lymphocytes (using antigen presentation)
What are the functions of lymphocytes?
T cells secrete cytokines/chemokines leading to chronic inflammation
B cells secrete antibodies leading to chronic inflammation
Which types of drugs can reduce inflammation and modulate immune responses?
Steroidal anti-inflammatory agents
NSAIDs
Immunosuppressants
Anti-histamines
Anti-cytokine drugs and other biologicals
Disease modifying anti-rheumatoid drugs (DMARD)
What happens during signalling pattern recognition receptors?
MO pathogen-associated molecular patterns binds toll-like receptor
Activates TXN NfkB & IRF 3/7
Secretion of cytokines
Inflammation which leads to damage-associated molecular patterns
What are key inflammatory mediators?
Membrane phospholipids
↓ PLA2
Arachidonic acid
↓5-LOX+FLAP or COX
LTA4 or prostaglandins/thromboxanes
↓LTC4 synthase or epoxide hydroxide
LTC4 or LTB4
Which mediators do NSAIDs block?
COX enzyme
Which mediators do LT inhibitors block?
5-LOX
What does COX-1 regulate?
Thromboxane A2 - vasoconstriction and increased platelet aggregation (thrombosis)
Prostaglandins E2 and I2 - gastric protection
What does COX-2 regulate?
Prostaglandins E2 and I2 - pain and inflammation
Prostacyclin (PGI2) - vasodilation and decreased platelet aggregation
Which drugs are used as anti-inflammatories?
Strong
Naproxen (HL 14h) - oral administration
Celecoxib (HL 11h) - oral administration
Piroxicam (HL 45h) - oral administration
Moderate
Ibuprofen (HL 1-4h) - oral administration