subject: How Inflammation Occurs In The Body And How It Can Go Terribly Wrong [print this page] How Inflammation Occurs in the Body and When it Goes Terribly Wrong.
How Inflammation Works
Researchers believe that the same system that causes inflammation
around a wound can, when the response becomes chronic, play an
important role in a broad range of illnesses, from heart disease to
Alzheimer's. Here is a very simplified, and much magnified, look at the
basic mechanism.
Injury
A splinter slices through the skin, damaging cells and allowing bacteria and
other pathogens into the body. In the world in which our bodies evolved,
pain almost always signaled a microbial invasion.
A Body's Cry For Help
Mast cells release histamine and cytokines, which alert the body that
something is wrong. Tiny blood vessels respond by developing leaks that
allow other immune cells to rush to the field of battle.
The Counterattack
Even before reinforcements arrive, prestationed macrophages start
attacking bacteria and damaged cells, using toxic chemicals like nitric oxide.
The Inner Battle
Specialized immune cells migrate to the wound. Neutrophils engulf and
destroy bacteria and damaged tissue, more macrophages appear, and
lymphocytes intensify the immune system's repower.
The Healing
As the pathogens are eliminated, a new series of molecular messengers
signals victory. A group of irregularly shaped cells called platelets, along
with other substances, forms clots and closes the wound.
How Inflammation Goes Wrong
If the inflammatory flares refuse to die down or are up for prolonged
periods, permanent damage may result.
Continuous Activation can occur.
A long running, low grade infection, like gum disease, may keep immune
cells flared up, or there may be a breakdown in the complex series of
checks and balances that regulates the immune system.
Friendly Fire
Certain parts of the body are mistakenly selected by immune cells for
attack. Macrophages start chewing up cholesterol deposits in the coronary arteries, or glial cells begin destroying neurons in the brain.
Chronic Illness
The body's efforts to heal the damage it created end up only making
matters worse.
source: Time Magazine - Inflammation, The Secret Killer.
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Glossary:
Pathogens - An agent that causes disease, especially a living microorganism such as a bacterium or fungus.
Histamine - An important protein involved in many allergic reactions.
Cytokines - Produced predominantly by activated immune cells such as microglia and are involved in the amplification of inflammatory reactions
Macrophages - Help destroy bacteria, key players in the immune response to foreign invaders such as infectious microorganisms.
Neutrophils - A type of white blood cell, filled with neutrally-staining granules, tiny sacs of enzymes that help the cell to kill and digest microorganisms
Glial Cells - Non-neural cells that perform "housekeeper" functions such as clearing out debris and excess materials.
