Types of Inflammation

Question 1

What are antigens?

Answer 1

Antigens are molecules or molecular structures that can be recognised by an antibody.

Question 2

What are the types of antigens?

Answer 2

Foreign
Self
Immunogen
Hapten

Question 3

What is a foreign antigen?

Answer 3

Derived from molecules not found in the body

Question 4

What is a self-antigen?

Answer 4

Derived from molecules produced by our bodies

Question 5

What is an immunogen?

Answer 5

An antigen independently capable of driving an immune response in the absence of additional substances

Question 6

What is a hapten?

Answer 6

A small molecule that alone does not act as an antigen but when bound to a larger molecule can create an antigen.

Question 7

Do acute inflammations tend to involve antigens?

Answer 7

Not usually, most chronic and granular inflammations rely on antigens.

Question 8

How does acute inflammation differ from chronic inflammation in relation to duration?

Answer 8

Acute inflammation lasts a few days with immediate onset whereas chronic inflammation has a delayed onset and may last from weeks to years.

Question 9

How does acute inflammation differ from chronic inflammation in relation to types of predominating cells?

Answer 9

In acute inflammation, neutrophils predominate (as they are the quickest to the scene whereas in chronic inflammation monocytes/macrophages predominate.

Question 10

How does acute inflammation differ from chronic inflammation in relation to the main chemical released?

Answer 10

In acute inflammation, histamine is released (histamine is also released in chronic inflammation but in a lesser proportion) whereas in chronic inflammation the ongoing cytokine release is indicative of the high presence of macrophages in the area.

Question 11

How does acute inflammation differ from chronic inflammation in relation to the type of cell damage occurring?

Answer 11

In acute inflammation, there is prominent necrosis of cells whereas in chronic inflammation there is prominent scarring.

Question 12

How does acute inflammation differ from chronic inflammation in relation to the outcomes of the inflammation?

Answer 12

Acute inflammation can result in complete resolution or progression to chronic inflammation whereas as chronic inflammation can result in scarring or loss of function.

Question 13

What is chronic inflammation a result of?

Answer 13

Persistent inflammatory stimuli.

Question 14

What may the sources of the persistent inflammatory stimuli in chronic inflammations be?

Answer 14

Infections, allergens/pollutants including unclearable particles such as silica or autoimmunity to self-antigens.

Question 15

How can chronic inflammation lead to more inflammation?

Answer 15

The immune cells present may kill surrounding cells, resulting in more inflammation (which results in more cell death which results in more inflammation…)

Question 16

Where do macrophages come from?

Answer 16

Some macrophages are present in tissue but some come from monocytes in the blood.

Question 17

How can macrophages cause damage to ourselves?

Answer 17

Their cytotoxic properties are indiscriminate and kill off healthy cells too.

Question 18

Name some diseases that can cause chronic inflammation.

Answer 18

Rheumatoid arthritis
Asthma
Inflammatory bowel disease
Glomerulonephritis
Hepatitis
Psoriasis
Multiple sclerosis

Question 19

What is granulomatous inflammation?

Answer 19

Chronic inflammation with a distinct pattern of granuloma formation.

Question 20

What are granulomas and what is their function?

Answer 20

Granulomas are the aggregation of activated macrophages, a barrier designed for clearance and prevent leakage of pathogenic materials.

Question 21

What is granulomatous inflammation caused by?

Answer 21

They are triggered by strong T-cell responses, usually caused by highly resistant agents such as mycobacterium or tumours.

Question 22

Name some diseases that cause granulomatous inflammation.

Answer 22

TB
Leprosy
Foreign body granuloma
Tumour reactions
Sarcoidosis
Crohn's disease (a type of IBD)

Question 23

What are scars the result of?

Answer 23

Collagen deposition used to form a clot in damaged tissues.

They are hard to clear, leading to a permanent scar.

Question 24

What are some of the complications of scarring?

Answer 24

Scarring is not always a problem, however, in some cases such as the lungs it can cause a lack of function and constant wound healing.