Biological Mediators of Acute Inflammation

Abstract

Inflammation may be defined as the normal response of living tissue to injury or infection. It is important to emphasize two components of this definition. First, that inflammation is a normal response and, as such, is expected to occur when tissue is damaged. Indeed, if injured tissue did not exhibit signs of inflammation this would be considered abnormal. Secondly, inflammation occurs in living tissue, hence the need for an adequate blood supply to the tissues in order for an inflammatory response to be exhibited. The inflammatory response may be triggered by mechanical injury, chemical toxins, invasion by microorganisms, and hypersensitivity reactions. Three major events occur during the inflammatory response: the blood supply to the affected area is increased substantially, capillary permeability is increased, and leucocytes migrate from the capillary vessels into the surrounding interstitial spaces to the site of inflammation or injury. The inflammatory response represents a complex biological and biochemical process involving cells of the immune system and a plethora of biological mediators. Cell-to-cell communication molecules known collectively as cytokines play an extremely important role in mediating the process of inflammation. An extensive exposition of this complex phenomenon is beyond the scope of this article. Rather, the author provides a review of inflammation, an overview of the role of certain biological mediators in inflammation, and a discussion of the implications of certain biological response modifiers in clinical practice.

dlk1/FA1 Regulates the Function of Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Modulating Gene Expression of Pro-inflammatory Cytokines and Immune Response-related Factors

“…The production of several of these molecules is known to increase during the inflammatory response (58). Among these molecules are the Cells were stimulated to differentiate into osteoblasts or adipocytes as described under "Experimental Procedures" (same experiment of Fig.…”

Polyacetylene Compound from Cirsium japonicum var. ussuriense Inhibits the LPS-Induced Inflammatory Reaction via Suppression of NF-κB Activity in RAW 264.7 Cells

“…However, it is frequent that infl ammatory response to several stimuli leads to the damaging of normal tissues (Nathan, 2002;Rankin, 2004;Cho et al, 2008).…”

Anti-inflammatory Effects of the Methanol Extract of Polytrichum Commune via NF-κB Inactivation in RAW 264.7 Macrophage Cells

“…Inflammation is complex systemic and local response by the host immune system to harmful stimuli such as infection and noxious chemicals interacting with the local immune system (Nathan, 2002;Rankin, 2004). The response is usually acute phase, which may progress into chronic inflammation (Burg and Pillinger, 2001;Guo, 2001).…”

“…The response is usually acute phase, which may progress into chronic inflammation (Burg and Pillinger, 2001;Guo, 2001). It is marked by the accumulation of variety of inflammatory cells and release of several soluble mediators of inflammation such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid mediators, proteases and cytokines (Rankin, 2004;Huerre and Gounon, 1996).…”