An abscess on the skin, showing the redness and swelling characteristic of inflammation. Black rings of necrotic tissue surround central areas of pus

Inflammation (Latin, inflammatio, to set on fire) is the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. It is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli as well as initiate the healing process for the tissue. Inflammation is not a synonym for infection. Even in cases where inflammation is caused by infection it is incorrect to use the terms as synonyms: infection is caused by an exogenous pathogen, while inflammation is the response of the organism to the pathogen. Image File history File links Abszess. ... Image File history File links Abszess. ... For the death metal band, see Abscess (band). ... Necrosis (in Greek Νεκρός = Dead) is the name given to unprogrammed death of cells/living tissue (compare with apoptosis - programmed cell death). ... Pus is a whitish-yellow or yellow substance produced during inflammatory responses of the body that can be found in regions of pyogenic bacterial infections. ... For other uses, see Latin (disambiguation). ... f you all The blood vessels are part of the circulatory system and function to transport blood throughout the body. ... A pathogen or infectious agent is a biological agent that causes disease or illness to its host. ... An infection is the detrimental colonization of a host organism by a foreign species. ...

In the absence of inflammation, wounds and infections would never heal and progressive destruction of the tissue would compromise the survival of the organism. However, inflammation which runs unchecked can also lead to a host of diseases, such as hay fever, atherosclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. It is for this reason that inflammation is normally tightly regulated by the body. For the play, see Hay Fever. ... Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is traditionally considered a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the joints. ...

Inflammation can be classified as either acute or chronic. Acute inflammation is the initial response of the body to harmful stimuli and is achieved by the increased movement of plasma and leukocytes from the blood into the injured tissues. A cascade of biochemical events propagates and matures the inflammatory response, involving the local vascular system, the immune system, and various cells within the injured tissue. Prolonged inflammation, known as chronic inflammation, leads to a progressive shift in the type of cells which are present at the site of inflammation and is characterised by simultaneous destruction and healing of the tissue from the inflammatory process. Blood plasma is the liquid component of blood, in which the blood cells are suspended. ... White Blood Cells is also the name of a White Stripes album. ... It has been suggested that Circulation (physiology) be merged into this article or section. ... A scanning electron microscope image of a single neutrophil (yellow), engulfing anthrax bacteria (orange). ...

Causes

For other uses, see Burn. ... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... This article is about a medical condition. ... For other uses, see Toxin (disambiguation). ... An infection is the detrimental colonization of a host organism by a foreign species. ... A pathogen or infectious agent is a biological agent that causes disease or illness to its host. ... Necrosis (in Greek Νεκρός = Dead) is the name given to accidental death of cells and living tissue. ... Injury is damage or harm caused to the structure or function of the body caused by an outside agent or force, which may be physical or chemical. ... Hypersensitivity refers to undesirable (damaging, discomfort-producing and sometimes fatal) reactions produced by the normal immune system. ... Radiation hazard symbol. ...

Types

Acute inflammation

Infected ingrown toenail showing the characteristic redness and swelling associated with acute inflammation

Acute inflammation is a short-term process which is characterised by the classic signs of inflammation - swelling, redness, pain, heat, and loss of function - due to the infiltration of the tissues by plasma and leukocytes. It occurs as long as the injurious stimulus is present and ceases once the stimulus has been removed, broken down, or walled off by scarring (fibrosis). The first four characteristics have been known since ancient times and are attributed to Celsus. Loss of function was added to the definition of inflammation by Rudolf Virchow in the 19th century^[1]. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2048 × 1536 pixel, file size: 636 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Infected ingrown toenail File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Inflammation Metadata This... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2048 × 1536 pixel, file size: 636 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Infected ingrown toenail File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Inflammation Metadata This... White Blood Cells is also the name of a White Stripes album. ... Fibrosis is the formation or development of excess fibrous connective tissue in an organ or tissue as a reparative or reactive process, as opposed to a formation of fibrous tissue as a normal constituent of an organ or tissue. ... Aulus Cornelius Celsus Aulus Cornelius Celsus (25 BC—50) was a Roman encyclopedist and possibly, although not likely, a physician. ... [[ Rudolf Ludwig Karl Virchow (born October 13, 1821, in Schivelbein (Pomerania); died September 5, 1902, in Berlin) was a German doctor, anthropologist, public health activist, pathologist, prehistorian, biologist and politician. ...

The process of acute inflammation is initiated by the blood vessels local to the injured tissue, which alter to allow the exudation of plasma proteins and leukocytes into the surrounding tissue. The increased flow of fluid into the tissue causes the characteristic swelling associated with inflammation, and the increased blood flow to the area causes the reddened colour and increased heat. The blood vessels also alter to permit the extravasation of leukocytes through the endothelium and basement membrane constituting the blood vessel. Once in the tissue, the cells migrate along a chemotactic gradient to reach the site of injury, where they can attempt to remove the stimulus and repair the tissue. Blood plasma is the liquid component of blood, in which the blood cells are suspended. ... White Blood Cells is also the name of a White Stripes album. ... The endothelium is the layer of thin, flat cells that lines the interior surface of blood vessels, forming an interface between circulating blood in the lumen and the rest of the vessel wall. ... ... Chemotaxis is a kind of taxis, in which bodily cells, bacteria, and other single-cell or multicellular organisms direct their movements according to certain chemicals in their environment. ...

Meanwhile, several biochemical cascade systems, consisting of chemicals known as plasma-derived inflammatory mediators, act in parallel to propagate and mature the inflammatory response. These include the complement system, coagulation system and fibrinolysis system. A complement protein attacking an invader. ... Coagulation is the thickening or congealing of any liquid into solid clots. ... Fibrinolysis is the process where a fibrin clot, the product of coagulation, is broken down. ...

Finally, down-regulation of the inflammatory response concludes acute inflammation. Removal of the injurious stimuli halts the response of the inflammatory mechanisms, which require constant stimulation to propagate the process. Additionally, many inflammatory mediators have short half lives and are quickly degraded in the tissue, helping to quickly cease the inflammatory response once the stimulus has been removed^[1].

Chronic inflammation

Main article: Chronic inflammation

Chronic inflammation is a pathological condition characterised by concurrent active inflammation, tissue destruction, and attempts at repair. Chronic inflammation is not characterised by the classic signs of acute inflammation listed above. Instead, chronically inflammed tissue is characterised by the infiltration of mononuclear immune cells (monocytes, macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells), tissue destruction, and attempts at healing, which include angiogenesis and fibrosis. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into inflammation. ... Monocyte A monocyte is a leukocyte, part of the human bodys immune system that protect against blood-borne pathogens and move quickly to sites of infection in the tissues. ... A macrophage of a mouse stretching its arms to engulf two particles, possibly pathogens Macrophages (Greek: big eaters, makros = long, phagein = eat) are white blood cells, more specifically phagocytes, acting in the nonspecific defense as well as the specific defense system of vertebrate animals. ... A scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of a single human lymphocyte. ... Plasma cells (also called plasma B cells or plasmocytes) are cells of the immune system that secrete large amounts of antibodies. ... Angiogenesis is the physiological process involving the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels. ... Fibrosis is the formation or development of excess fibrous connective tissue in an organ or tissue as a reparative or reactive process, as opposed to a formation of fibrous tissue as a normal constituent of an organ or tissue. ...

Endogenous causes include persistent acute inflammation. Exogenous causes are varied and include bacterial infection, especially by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, prolonged exposure to chemical agents such as silica, or autoimmune reactions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Binomial name Mycobacterium tuberculosis Zopf 1883 Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the bacterium that causes most cases of tuberculosis[1]. It was first described on March 24, 1882 by Robert Koch, who subsequently received the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine for this discovery in 1905. ... The chemical compound silicon dioxide, also known as silica, is the oxide of silicon, chemical formula SiO2. ... Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is traditionally considered a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the joints. ...

In acute inflammation, removal of the stimulus halts the recruitment of monocytes (which become macrophages under appropriate activation) into the inflamed tissue, and existing macrophages exit the tissue via lymphatics. However in chronically inflamed tissue the stimulus is persistent, and therefore recruitment of monocytes is maintained, existing macrophages are tethered in place, and proliferation of macrophages is stimulated (especially in atheromatous plaques).^[1] An Atheroma (plural: atheromata) is an unhealthy tissue growth which develops within the walls of arteries over time. ...

Exudative component

The exudative component involves the movement of plasma fluid, containing important proteins such as fibrin and immunoglobulins (antibodies), into inflamed tissue. This movement is achieved via the chemically-induced dilation and increased permeability of blood vessels, which results in a net loss of blood plasma. The increased collection of fluid into the tissue causes it to swell (edema). A representation of the 3D structure of myoglobin, showing coloured alpha helices. ... Fibrin is a protein involved in the clotting of blood. ... Schematic of antibody binding to an antigen An antibody is a protein complex used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses. ... f you all The blood vessels are part of the circulatory system and function to transport blood throughout the body. ... Blood plasma is the liquid component of blood, in which the blood cells are suspended. ... This page is about the condition called edema. ...

Vascular changes

Acute inflammation is characterised by marked vascular changes, including vasodilation, increased permeability, and the slowing of blood flow, which are induced by the actions of various inflammatory mediators. Vasodilation occurs first at the arteriole level, progressing to the capillary level, and brings about a net increase in the amount of blood present, causing the redness and heat of inflammation. Increased permeability of the vessels results in the movement of plasma into the tissues, with resultant stasis due to the increase in the concentration of the cells within blood - a condition characterised by enlarged vessels packed with cells. Stasis allows leukocytes to marginate along the endothelium, a process critical to their recruitment into the tissues. Normal flowing blood prevents this, as the shearing force along the periphery of the vessels moves cells in the blood into the middle of the vessel. The blood vessels are part of the circulatory system and function to transport blood throughout the body. ... An arteriole is a small diameter blood vessel that extends and branches out from an artery and leads to capillaries. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Blood plasma is the liquid component of blood, in which the blood cells are suspended. ... Shear stress is a stress state where the stress is parallel or tangential to a face of the material, as opposed to normal stress when the stress is perpendicular to the face. ...

Plasma cascade systems

• The complement system, when activated, results in the increased removal of pathogens via opsonisation and phagocytosis.
• The kinin system generates proteins capable of sustaining vasodilation and other physical inflammatory effects.
• The coagulation system or clotting cascade which forms a protective protein mesh over sites of injury.
• The fibrinolysis system, which acts in opposition to the coagulation system, to counterbalance clotting and generate several other inflammatory mediators.

A complement protein attacking an invader. ... An opsonin is any molecule that acts as a binding enhancer for the process of phagocytosis, for example, by coating the negatively-charged molecules on the membrane. ... Steps of a macrophage ingesting a pathogen: a. ... The kinin-kallikrein system or simply kinin system is a poorly delineated system of blood proteins that plays a role in inflammation, blood pressure control, coagulation and pain. ... Coagulation is the thickening or congealing of any liquid into solid clots. ... Fibrinolysis is the process where a fibrin clot, the product of coagulation, is broken down. ...

Plasma derived mediators

* non-exhaustive list

Spacefilling model of bradykinin Bradykinin is a physiologically and pharmacologically active peptide of the kinin group of proteins, consisting of nine amino acids. ... The kinin-kallikrein system or simply kinin system is a poorly delineated system of blood proteins that plays a role in inflammation, blood pressure control, coagulation and pain. ... In immunology, soluble C3-convertase, also known as iC3Bb, catalyzes the proteolytic cleavage of C3 into C3a and C3b as part of the alternative complement system. ... A complement protein attacking an invader. ... An opsonin is any molecule that acts as a binding enhancer for the process of phagocytosis, for example, by coating the negatively-charged molecules on the membrane. ... Steps of a macrophage ingesting a pathogen: a. ... C5a is a protein fragment released from complement component C5. ... A complement protein attacking an invader. ... Inorganic or organic substances possessing chemotaxis inducer effect in motile cells. ... Hageman factor is a plasma protein now usually known as factor XII. It is part of the coagulation cascade and activates factor XI and prekallikrein. ... For the bird, see Liver bird. ... ... In molecular biology, a protein may change its shape in order to undertake a new function; each possible shape is called a conformation, and a transition between them is called a conformational change. ... MAC is also called the killer molecule. ... A complement protein attacking an invader. ... Complement component 6 is a protein involved in the complement system. ... Complement component 7 is a protein involved in the complement system. ... Complement component 8 is a protein involved in the complement system. ... Complement component 9 is a protein involved in the complement system. ... Plasmin is an important degrading enzyme (EC 3. ... Fibrinolysis is the process where a fibrin clot, the product of coagulation, is broken down. ... Thrombin (activated Factor II) is a coagulation protein that has many effects in the coagulation cascade. ... Coagulation is the thickening or congealing of any liquid into solid clots. ... Fibrin is a protein involved in the clotting of blood. ... Fibrin is a protein involved in the clotting of blood. ... A thrombus is the final product of blood coagulation, through the aggregation of platelets and the activation of the humoral coagulation system. ... A protease-activated receptor is a cell receptor that is activated by cleavage of part of its extracellular domain. ... Chemokines are a family of pro-inflammatory activation-inducible cytokines, or small protein signals secreted by cells. ... R-phrases , , , , S-phrases , , , Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 Â°C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references Nitric oxide or Nitrogen monoxide is a chemical compound with chemical formula NO. This gas is an important signaling molecule in the body of...

Cellular component

The cellular component involves leukocytes, which normally reside in blood and must move into the inflamed tissue via extravasation to aid in inflammation. Some act as phagocytes, ingesting bacteria, viruses, and cellular debris. Others release enzymatic granules which damage pathogenic invaders. Leukocytes also release inflammatory mediators which develop and maintain the inflammatory response. Generally speaking, acute inflammation is mediated by granulocytes, while chronic inflammation is mediated by mononuclear cells such as monocytes and lymphocytes. White Blood Cells is also the name of a White Stripes album. ... A phagocyte is a cell that ingests and destroys foreign matter such as microorganisms or debris via a process known as phagocytosis. ... Phyla/Divisions Actinobacteria Aquificae Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi Chlamydiae/Verrucomicrobia Chloroflexi Chrysiogenetes Cyanobacteria Deferribacteres Deinococcus-Thermus Dictyoglomi Fibrobacteres/Acidobacteria Firmicutes Fusobacteria Gemmatimonadetes Nitrospirae Omnibacteria Planctomycetes Proteobacteria Spirochaetes Thermodesulfobacteria Thermomicrobia Thermotogae Bacteria (singular, bacterium) are a major group of living organisms. ... A granule is a small grain. ... Eosinophil granulocyte Basophil granulocyte Granulocytes are a category of white blood cells characterised by the presence of granules in their cytoplasm. ... Monocyte A monocyte is a leukocyte, part of the human bodys immune system that protect against blood-borne pathogens and move quickly to sites of infection in the tissues. ... A scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of a single human lymphocyte. ...

Leukocyte extravasation

Neutrophils migrate from blood vessels to the inflamed tissue via chemotaxis, where they remove pathogens through phagocytosis and degranulation

Main article: Leukocyte extravasation

Various leukocytes are critically involved in the initiation and maintenance of inflammation. These cells must be able to get to the site of injury from their usual location in the blood, therefore mechanisms exist to recruit and direct leukocytes to the appropriate place. The process of leukocyte movement from the blood to the tissues through the blood vessels is known as extravasation, and can be divided up into a number of broad steps: Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (574x701, 126 KB) Source: http://de. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (574x701, 126 KB) Source: http://de. ... White Blood Cells is also the name of a White Stripes album. ...

1. Leukocyte localisation and recruitment to the endothelium local to the site of inflammation – involving margination and adhesion to the endothelial cells: Recruitment of leukocytes is receptor-mediated. The products of inflammation, such as histamine, promote the immediate expression of P-selectin on endothelial cell surfaces. This receptor binds weakly to carbohydrate ligands on leukocyte surfaces and causes them to "roll" along the endothelial surface as bonds are made and broken. Cytokines from injured cells induce the expression of E-selectin on endothelial cells, which functions similarly to P-selectin. Cytokines also induce the expression of integrin ligands on endothelial cells, which further slow leukocytes down. These weakly bound leukocytes are free to detach if not activated by chemokines produced in injured tissue. Activation increases the affinity of bound integrin receptors for ligands on the endothelial cell surface, firmly binding the leukocytes to the endothelium.
2. Migration across the endothelium, known as transmigration, via the process of diapedesis: Chemokine gradients stimulate the adhered leukocytes to move between endothelial cells and pass the basement membrane into the tissues.
3. Movement of leukocytes within the tissue via chemotaxis: Leukocytes reaching the tissue interstitium bind to extracellular matrix proteins via expressed integrins and CD44 to prevent their loss from the site. Chemoattractants cause the leukocytes to move along a chemotactic gradient towards the source of inflammation.

In biochemistry, a receptor is a protein on the cell membrane or within the cytoplasm that binds to a specific factor (a ligand), such as a neurotransmitter, hormone, or other substance, and initiates the cellular response to the ligand. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... P-selectin is a cell adhesion molecule (CAM) found in granules in endothelial cells (cells lining blood vessels) and activated platelets. ... E-selectin, also known as CD62E, is a cell adhesion molecule expressed only on endothelial cells activated by cytokines. ... An integrin, or integrin receptor, is an integral membrane protein in the plasma membrane of cells. ... Chemotaxis is a kind of taxis, in which bodily cells, bacteria, and other single-cell or multicellular organisms direct their movements according to certain chemicals in their environment. ... Illustration depicting extracellular matrix (basement membrane and interstitial matrix) in relation to epithelium, endothelium and connective tissue In biology, the extracellular matrix (ECM) is the extracellular part of animal tissue that usually provides structural support to the cells in addition to performing various other important functions. ... The CD44 protein is a cell-surface glycoprotein involved in cell-cell interactions, cell adhesion and migration. ... Inorganic or organic substances possessing chemotaxis inducer effect in motile cells. ...

Cell derived mediators

* non-exhaustive list

A granule is a small grain. ... Ribbon diagram of the enzyme TIM, surrounded by the space-filling model of the protein. ... Eosinophil granulocyte Basophil granulocyte Granulocytes are a category of white blood cells characterised by the presence of granules in their cytoplasm. ... Specific granules are the granules found in granulocytes which are specific to that type of cell (as opposed to azurophilic granules, primarily lysosomes, which are found in all three types of granulocytes. ... Azurophil is referred to the readily staining with an azure dye. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The general structure of an amine Amines are organic compounds and a type of functional group that contain nitrogen as the key atom. ... An arteriole is a small diameter blood vessel that extends and branches out from an artery and leads to capillaries. ... In geology, a vein is a regularly shaped and lengthy occurrence of an ore; a lode. ... Interferon-gamma or IFN-g is a dimerized soluble cytokine which is a Type II Interferon. ... Cytokines are a group of proteins and peptides that are used in organisms as signaling compounds. ... Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a chemokine produced by macrophages and other cell types such as epithelial cells. ... Chemokines are a family of pro-inflammatory activation-inducible cytokines, or small protein signals secreted by cells. ... Leukotriene B4 is a leukotriene involved in inflammation. ... In biochemistry, eicosanoids are a class of oxygenated hydrophobic molecules that largely function as autocrine and paracrine mediators. ... R-phrases , , , , S-phrases , , , Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 Â°C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references Nitric oxide or Nitrogen monoxide is a chemical compound with chemical formula NO. This gas is an important signaling molecule in the body of... E1 - Alprostadil I2 - Prostacyclin A prostaglandin is any member of a group of lipid compounds that are derived enzymatically from fatty acids and have important functions in the animal body. ... In biochemistry, eicosanoids are a class of oxygenated hydrophobic molecules that largely function as autocrine and paracrine mediators. ... In medicine, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα, cachexin or cachectin) is an important cytokine involved in systemic inflammation and the acute phase response. ... Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is secreted by the macrophages, monocytes and dendritic cells. ... Cytokines are a group of proteins and peptides that are used in organisms as signaling compounds. ... NIH/3T3 Fibroblasts A fibroblast is a type of cell that synthesizes and maintains the extracellular matrix of many animal tissues. ...

Morphologic patterns

A skin ulcer resulting from infection with Corynebacterium diphtheriae

Specific patterns of acute and chronic inflammation are seen during particular situations that arise in the body, such as when inflammation occurs on an epithelial surface, or pyogenic bacteria are involved. Image File history File links A_diphtheria_skin_lesion_on_the_leg. ... Image File history File links A_diphtheria_skin_lesion_on_the_leg. ... Binomial name Corynebacterium diphtheriae Kruse, 1886 Corynebacterium diphtheriae is a pathogenic bacterium that causes diphtheria. ... In zootomy, epithelium is a tissue composed of a layer of cells. ... Pyogenic refers to bacterial infections that make pus. ...

• Granulomatous inflammation: characterised by the formation of granulomas, they are the result of a limited but diverse number of diseases, which include among others tuberculosis, leprosy, and syphilis.
• Fibrinous inflammation: Inflammation resulting in a large increase in vascular permeability allows the blood vessels to pass through fibrin. If an appropriate procoagulative stimulus is present, such as cancer cells^[1], a fibrinous exudate is deposited. This is commonly seen in serous cavities, where the conversion of fibrinous exudate into a scar can occur between serous membranes, limiting their function.
• Purulent inflammation: Inflammation resulting in large amount of pus, which consists of neutrophils, dead cells, and fluid. Infection by pyogenic bacteria such as staphylococci is characteristic of this kind of inflammation. Large, localised collections of pus enclosed by surrounding tissues are called abscesses.
• Serous inflammation: Characterised by the copious effusion of non-viscous serous fluid, commonly produced by mesothelial cells of serous membranes, but may which also be derived from blood plasma. Skin blisters exemplify this pattern of inflammation.
• Ulcerative inflammation: Inflammation occurring near an epithelium can result in the necrotic loss of tissue from the surface, exposing lower layers. The subsequent excavation in the epithelium is known as an ulcer.

H&E section of non-caseasting granuloma seen in the colon of a patient with Crohns disease In medicine (anatomical pathology), a granuloma is a group of epithelioid macrophages surrounded by a lymphocyte cuff. ... Tuberculosis (abbreviated as TB for tubercle bacillus or TuBerculosis) is a common and deadly infectious disease caused by mycobacteria, mainly Mycobacterium tuberculosis. ... For the malady found in the Hebrew Bible, see the article Tzaraath. ... Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum. ... Fibrin is a protein involved in the clotting of blood. ... A serous membrane is a very thin layer of cells (usually one row) covering internal body cavity. ... Pus is a whitish-yellow or yellow substance produced during inflammatory responses of the body that can be found in regions of pyogenic bacterial infections. ... Species S. aureus Staphylococcus (in Greek staphyle means bunch of grapes and coccos means granule) is a genus of gram-positive bacteria. ... For the death metal band, see Abscess (band). ... The mesothelium is a membrane that forms the lining of several body cavities: the pleura (thoracal cavity), peritoneum (abdominal cavity) and pericardium (heart sac). ... A serous membrane is a very thin layer of cells (usually one row) covering internal body cavity. ... For the packaging type, see Blister pack. ... Necrosis (in Greek Νεκρός = Dead) is the name given to unprogrammed death of cells/living tissue (compare with apoptosis - programmed cell death). ... Endoscopic images of a duodenal ulcer. ...

Inflammatory disorders

Abnormalities associated with inflammation comprise a large, unrelated group of disorders which underly a variety of human diseases. The immune system is often involved with inflammatory disorders, demonstrated in both allergic reactions and some myopathies, with many immune system disorders resulting in abnormal inflammation. Non-immune diseases with aetiological origins in inflammatory processes are thought to include cancer, atherosclerosis, and ischaemic heart disease.^[1] Pancreatitus can be caused by an Allergic Reaction to a food. ... In medicine, a myopathy is a neuromuscular disease in which the muscle fibers dysfunction for any one of many reasons, resulting in muscular weakness. ... Autoimmune diseases arise from an overactive immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body. ... Ischaemic (or ischemic) heart disease is a disease characterized by reduced blood supply to the heart. ...

A large variety of proteins are involved in inflammation, and any one of them is open to a genetic mutation which impairs or otherwise dysregulates the normal function and expression of that protein.

Examples of disorders associated with inflammation include:

Autoimmune diseases arise from an overactive immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into inflammation. ... Glomerulonephritis, also known as glomerular nephritis and abbreviated GN, is a primary or secondary immune-mediated renal disease characterized by inflammation of the glomeruli, or small blood vessels in the kidneys. ... Hypersensitivity refers to undesirable (damaging, discomfort-producing and sometimes fatal) reactions produced by the normal immune system. ... In medicine, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of inflammatory conditions of the large intestine and, in some cases, the small intestine. ... Pelvic inflammatory disease (or disorder) (PID) is a generic term for infection of the female uterus, fallopian tubes, and/or ovaries as it progresses to scar formation with adhesions to nearby tissues and organs. ... Reperfusion injury refers to damage to tissue caused when blood supply returns to the tissue after a period of ischemia. ... Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is traditionally considered a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the joints. ... Transplant rejection occurs when the immune system of the recipient of a transplant attacks the transplanted organ or tissue. ... In medicine, vasculitis (plural: vasculitides) is a group of diseases featuring inflammation of the wall of blood vessels due to leukocyte migration and resultant damage. ...

Allergies

An allergic reaction, formally known as type 1 hypersensitivity, is the result of an inappropriate immune response triggering inflammation. A common example is hay fever, which is caused by a hypersensitive response by skin mast cells to allergens. Pre-sensitised mast cells respond by degranulating, releasing vasoactive chemicals such as histamine. These chemicals propagate an excessive inflammatory response characterised by blood vessel dilation, production of pro-inflammatory molecules, cytokine release, and recruitment of leukocytes.^[1] Severe inflammatory response may mature into a systemic response known as anaphylaxis. Allergy is an abnormal reaction to a substance foreign to the body that is acquired, predictable and rapid. ... For the play, see Hay Fever. ... Mast cells A mast cell (or mastocyte) is a resident cell of areolar connective tissue (loose connective tissue) that contains many granules rich in histamine and heparin. ... An allergen is any substance (antigen), most often eaten or inhaled, that is recognized by the immune system and causes an allergic reaction. ... The degranulation process in a Mast cell. ... A hormone, drug or chemical which is capable of eliciting vasoconstrictive or vasodilative action on the vasculature. ... Anaphylaxis is an acute systemic (multi-system) and severe Type I Hypersensitivity allergic reaction in humans and other mammals. ...

Other hypersensitivity reactions (type 2 and type 3) are mediated by antibody reactions and induce inflammation by attracting leukocytes which damage surrounding tissue.^[1] Hypersensitivity refers to undesirable (damaging, discomfort-producing and sometimes fatal) reactions produced by the normal immune system. ...

Myopathies

Inflammatory myopathies are caused by the immune system inappropriately attacking components of muscle, leading to signs of muscle inflammation. They may occur in conjunction with other immune disorders, such as systemic sclerosis, and include dermatomyositis, polymyositis, and inclusion body myositis.^[1] X-Ray of the knee in a patient with dermatomyositis. ... {{ }} Polymyositis is a type of inflammatory myopathy, related to dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis. ... Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is an inflammatory muscle disease, characterized by slowly progressive wasting and weakness of the arms and legs. ...

Leukocyte defects

Due to the central role of leukocytes in the development and propagation of inflammation, defects in leukocyte function often result in a decreased capacity for inflammatory defence with subsequent vulnerability to infection^[1]. Dysfunctional leukocytes may be unable to correctly bind to blood vessels due to surface receptor mutations, digest bacteria (Chediak-Higashi syndrome), or produce microbicides (chronic granulomatous disease). Additionally, diseases affecting the bone marrow may result in abnormal or few leukocytes. Chédiak-Higashi syndrome is a rare childhood autosomal recessive disorder that affects multiple systems of the body. ... A microbicide is any compound or substance whose purpose is to reduce the infectivity of microbes, viruses or bacteria. ... Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a diverse group of hereditary diseases in which certain cells of the immune system have difficulty forming the reactive oxygen compounds (most importantly, the superoxide radical) used to kill certain ingested pathogens. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Pharmacological

Certain drugs or chemical compounds are known to affect inflammation. Vitamin A deficiency causes an increase in inflammatory responses^[2], and anti-inflammatory drugs work specifically by inhibiting normal inflammatory components. Vitamin A is an essential human nutrient. ... Anti-inflammatory refers to the property of a substance or treatment that reduces inflammation. ...

Termination

Please help improve this section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (May 2007)

The inflammatory response must be actively terminated when no longer needed to prevent unnecessary "bystander" damage to tissues.^[1] Failure to do so results in chronic inflammation, cellular destruction, and attempts to heal the inflamed tissue. One intrinsic mechanism employed to terminate inflammation is the short half-life of inflammatory mediators in vivo. They have a limited time frame to affect their target before breaking down into non-functional components, therefore constant inflammatory stimulation is needed to propagate their effects. Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ...

Active mechanisms which serve to terminate inflammation include^[1]:

• TGF-β from macrophages
• Anti-inflammatory lipoxins
• Inhibition of pro-inflammatory molecules, such as leukotrienes

Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGF beta) is a biological protein. ... ...

Systemic effects

An organism can escape the confines of the immediate tissue via the circulatory system or lymphatic system, where it may spread to other parts of the body. If an organism is not contained by the actions of acute inflammation it may gain access to the lymphatic system via nearby lymph vessels. An infection of the lymph vessels is known as lymphangitis, and infection of a lymph node is known as lymphadenitis. A pathogen can gain access to the bloodstream through lymphatic drainage into the circularitory system. For transport in plants, see Vascular tissue. ... The human lymphatic system The lymphatic system is a complex network of lymphoid organs, lymph nodes, lymph ducts, lymphatic tissues, lymph capillaries and lymph vessels that produce and transport lymph fluid from tissues to the circulatory system. ... In anatomy, lymph vessels are thin walled, valved structures that carry lymph. ... Lymphadenopathy is swelling of one or more lymph nodes. ... Lymphadenopathy is swelling of one or more lymph nodes. ...

When inflammation overwhelms the host, systemic inflammatory response syndrome is diagnosed. When it is due to infection, the term sepsis is applied, with bacteremia being applied specifically for bacterial sepsis and viremia specifically to viral sepsis. Vasodilation and organ dysfunction are serious problems associated with widespread infection that may lead to septic shock and death. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Sepsis. ... An infection is the detrimental colonization of a host organism by a foreign species. ... Sepsis (in Greek Σήψις, putrefaction) is a serious medical condition, resulting from the immune response to a severe infection. ... Bacteremia (Bacteræmia in British English, also known as blood poisoning or toxemia) is the presence of bacteria in the blood. ... Viremia is a condition where viruses enter the bloodstream. ... The blood vessels are part of the circulatory system and function to transport blood throughout the body. ... Septic shock is a serious medical condition causing such effects as multiple organ failure and death in response to infection and sepsis. ...

Acute-phase proteins

Inflammation also induces high systemic levels of acute-phase proteins. In acute inflammation, these proteins prove beneficial, however in chronic inflammation they can contribute to amyloidosis^[1] These proteins include C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, serum amyloid P, vasopressin, and glucocorticoids, which cause a range of systemic effects including^[1]: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a plasma protein, an acute phase protein produced by the liver. ... Serum amyloid A (SAA) proteins are a family of apolipoproteins associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in plasma. ... ... Arginine vasopressin (AVP), also known as argipressin or antidiuretic hormone (ADH), is a human hormone that is released when the body is low on water; it causes the kidneys to conserve water, but not salt, by concentrating the urine and reducing urine volume. ... Glucocorticoids are a class of steroid hormones characterised by an ability to bind with the cortisol receptor and trigger similar effects. ...

This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... A sphygmomanometer, a device used for measuring arterial pressure. ... Perspiration (also called sweating or sometimes transpiration) is the production and evaporation of a fluid, consisting primarily of water as well as a smaller amount of sodium chloride (the main constituent of table salt), that is excreted by the sweat glands in the skin of mammals. ... Malaise is a feeling of general discomfort or uneasiness, an out of sorts feeling, often the first indication of an infection or other disease. ... Anorexia (deriving from the Greek α(ν)- (a(n)-, a prefix that denotes absence) + όρεξη (orexe) = appetite) is the decreased sensation of appetite. ... Somnolence (or drowsiness) is a state of near-sleep, a strong desire for sleep, or sleeping for unusually long periods. ...

Leukocyte numbers

Inflammation often affects the numbers of leukocytes present in the body:

• Leukocytosis is often seen during inflammation induced by infection, where it results in a large increase in the amount of leukocytes in the blood, especially immature cells. Leukocyte numbers usually increase to between 15 000 and 20 000 cells per ml, but extreme cases can see it approach 100 000 cells per ml^[1]. Bacterial infection usually results in an increase of neutrophils, creating neutrophilia, whereas diseases such as asthma, hay fever, and parasite infestation result in an increase in eosinophils, creating eosinophilia^[1].
• Leukopenia can be induced by certain infections and diseases, including viral infection, Rickettsia infection, some protozoa, tuberculosis, and some cancers^[1].

Leukocytosis is an elevation of the white blood cell count (the leukocyte count) above the normal range. ... The litre or liter (see spelling differences) is a unit of volume. ... Neutrophil granulocytes (commonly referred to as neutrophils) are a class of white blood cells and are part of the immune system. ... Neutrophilia (or neutrophil leukocytosis) is a condition where a person has a high number of neutrophil granulocytes in their blood. ... For the play, see Hay Fever. ... Eosinophils are white blood cells that are responsible for combating infection by parasites in the body. ... Eosinophilia is the state of having high eosinophil granulocytes in the blood. ... Leukopenia or leukocytopenia refers to a decrease in the number of circulating white blood cells (leukocytes) in the blood. ... Species Rickettsia felis Rickettsia prowazekii Rickettsia rickettsii Rickettsia typhi Rickettsia conorii Rickettsia africae etc. ... Wikisource has an original article from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica about: Protozoa Protozoa (in Greek proto = first and zoa = animals) are single-celled eukaryotes (organisms whose cells have nuclei) that commonly show characteristics usually associated with animals, most notably mobility and heterotrophy. ... Tuberculosis (abbreviated as TB for tubercle bacillus or TuBerculosis) is a common and deadly infectious disease caused by mycobacteria, mainly Mycobacterium tuberculosis. ... Cancer is a class of diseases or disorders characterized by uncontrolled division of cells and the ability of these to spread, either by direct growth into adjacent tissue through invasion, or by implantation into distant sites by metastasis (where cancer cells are transported through the bloodstream or lymphatic system). ...

Systemic inflammation and obesity

With the discovery of interleukins (IL), the concept of systemic inflammation developed. Although the processes involved are identical to tissue inflammation, systemic inflammation is not confined to a particular tissue but involves the endothelium and other organ systems. Interleukins are a group of cytokines that were first seen to be expressed by white blood cells (leukocytes, hence the -leukin) as a means of communication (inter-). The name is sort of a relic though; it has since been found that interleukins are produced by a wide variety of bodily... The endothelium is the layer of thin, flat cells that lines the interior surface of blood vessels, forming an interface between circulating blood in the lumen and the rest of the vessel wall. ...

High levels of several inflammation-related markers such as IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α are associated with obesity.^[3][4] During clinical studies, inflammatory-related molecule levels were reduced and increased levels of anti-inflammatory molecules were seen within four weeks after patients began a very low calorie diet.^[5] The association of systemic inflammation with insulin resistance and atherosclerosis is the subject of intense research. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine secreted by T cells and macrophages to stimulate immune response to trauma, especially burns or other tissue damage leading to inflammation. ... Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a chemokine produced by macrophages and other cell types such as epithelial cells. ... In medicine, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα, cachexin or cachectin) is an important cytokine involved in systemic inflammation and the acute phase response. ... Insulin resistance is the condition in which normal amounts of insulin are inadequate to produce a normal insulin response from fat, muscle and liver cells. ...

Outcomes

Scars present on the skin, evidence of fibrosis and healing of a wound

The outcome in a particular circumstance will be determined by the tissue in which the injury has occurred and the injurious agent that is causing it. There are three possible outcomes to inflammation:^[1] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 767 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1893 × 1480 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 767 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1893 × 1480 pixel, file size: 1. ...

1. Resolution
   The complete restoration of the inflamed tissue back to a normal status. Inflammatory measures such as vasodilation, chemical production, and leukocyte infiltration cease, and damaged parenchymal cells regenerate. In situations where limited or short lived inflammation has occurred this is usually the outcome.
2. Fibrosis
   Large amounts of tissue destruction, or damage in tissues unable to regenerate, can not be regenerated completely by the body. Fibrous scarring occurs in these areas of damage, forming a scar composed primarily of collagen. The scar will not contain any specialized structures, such as parenchymal cells, hence functional impairment may occur.
3. Chronic inflammation
   In acute inflammation, if the injurious agent persists then chronic inflammation will ensue. This process, marked by inflammation lasting many days, months or even years, may lead to the formation of a chronic wound. Chronic inflammation is characterised by the dominating presence of macrophages in the injured tissue. These cells are powerful defensive agents of the body, but the toxins they release (including reactive oxygen species) are injurious to the organism's own tissues as well as invading agents. Consequently, chronic inflammation is almost always accompanied by tissue destruction.

Parenchyma is a term used to describe a bulk of a substance. ... A scar results from the biologic process of wound repair in the skin and other tissues of the body. ... Tropocollagen triple helix. ... Parenchyma is a term used to describe a bulk of a substance. ... Most wounds heal in an orderly set of stages and in a predictable amount of time; those that do not are called chronic wounds (Moreo, 2005; Thomas et al. ... For other uses, see Toxin (disambiguation). ... Reactive oxygen species (ROS) include oxygen ions, free radicals and peroxides both inorganic and organic. ...

Examples

Inflammation is usually indicated by adding the suffix "-itis", as shown below. However, some conditions such as asthma and pneumonia do not follow this convention. More examples are available at list of types of inflammation. Look up -itis in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article is about human pneumonia. ... Inflammation is usually indicated by adding the suffix -itis, as shown below. ...

Acute appendicitis Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 328 pixel Image in higher resolution (1024 × 420 pixel, file size: 188 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Inflammation ... Appendicitis (or epityphlitis) is a condition characterized by inflammation of the appendix[1]. While mild cases may resolve without treatment, most require removal of the inflamed appendix, either by laparotomy or laparoscopy. ...

Acute dermatitis Photograph of typical, mild dermatitis File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Dermatitis is a blanket term literally meaning inflammation of the skin. It is usually used to refer to eczema, which is also known as Dermatitis eczema. ...

Acute infective meningitis Image File history File links Size of this preview: 402 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (700 × 1043 pixel, file size: 123 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Inflammation ... Meningitis is the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the central nervous system, known collectively as the meninges. ...

Acute tonsillitis Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1279x975, 321 KB) Taken by me, no usage restrictions. ... Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils in the mouth and will often, but not necessarily, cause a sore throat and fever. ...

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Inflammation

• Anaphylatoxin
• Anti-inflammatories
• Healing
• Interleukin
• Lipoxin
• Substance P

Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... Anaphylatoxins, or anaphylotoxins, are fragments (C3a, C4a or C5a) that are produced during the pathways of the complement system. ... Anti-inflammatory refers to the property of a substance or treatment that reduces inflammation. ... For the Todd Rundgren album, see Healing (Todd Rundgren). ... Interleukins are a group of cytokines that were first seen to be expressed by white blood cells (leukocytes, hence the -leukin) as a means of communication (inter-). The name is sort of a relic though; it has since been found that interleukins are produced by a wide variety of bodily... ... In neuroscience, Substance P is a neuropeptide: a short-chain polypeptide that functions as a neurotransmitter and as a neuromodulator. ...

References

External links

• What You Need to Know About Inflammation at Cleveland Clinic
• Anti-Inflammatory Diet - Foods and Inflammation at About.com
• MeSH Inflammation