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Keywords
Inflammation • Immune response • Immune system mediators • Antiinflammatory agents • Chronic inflammatory diseases
10.1 Introduction
Inflammation entails the immediate defensive response to infection or injury.
However, persistent inflammatory response often stimulates undesired immune
responses resulting in detrimental effects. Exaggerated immune response promotes
the onset of autoimmune, hypersensitive, and inflammatory disease pathogenesis.
Inappropriate immune response is demonstrated in transplant rejections as well.
Unregulated inflammatory response-initiated immune cell activation has been identified as a prominent contributor to metabolic, neurological, and cardiovascular disorders as well as cancer malignancies. Ongoing immune responses may eventually
lead to detrimental effects causing irreparable tissue damage and loss of function.
Anti-inflammatory agents with potential caliber to modulate the components of
immune system may offer a competent treatment option against inflammationlinked immune disorders.
10.1.1 Immune Response and Mediators
Immunity refers to the capacity of the body to avail protection against infectious
diseases and is classified broadly into innate and adaptive immune responses. Innate
immunity is evolutionarily the older form of defense and facilitates the first line of
protection against infection mediated via a variety of cells: neutrophils, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, eosinophils, basophils, mast cells, megakaryocytes, and
platelets. Innate defensive strategy also involves barriers such as anatomic (skin and
mucosal membrane), physiologic (pH, temperature, chemical mediators), phagocytic, endocytic, and inflammatory responses. Inflammation is an innate immune
response to infection or injury and mediated through complement activation and
phagocytosis. Innate immune response can integrate with adaptive immunity by
antigen presentation to specific T lymphocytes via macrophages. Adaptive immunity is activated in response to an antigenic challenge to the organism. T lymphocytes and immunoglobulins are the major executors. Regulation of immune response
can be brought about by various mechanisms. Antigen-presenting cells (APC)
costimulate T cells by promoting cytokine and chemokine synthesis. T cells regulate immune response through subsets such as TH1, TH2, and TH17. Regulatory T
cells belong to CD4 or CD8 subpopulations and inhibit immune response via antiinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-10 and TGF-β. Neuroendocrine (corticosteroids) and genetic factors (MHC) can also regulate immune response. Cytokines
constitute major inflammatory mediators with direct impact on immune regulation.
The immune system requires both cellular and humoral factors for its induction and
B.C. Bhavya and M. Haridas
Keywords
Inflammation • Immune response • Immune system mediators • Antiinflammatory agents • Chronic inflammatory diseases
10.1 Introduction
Inflammation entails the immediate defensive response to infection or injury.
However, persistent inflammatory response often stimulates undesired immune
responses resulting in detrimental effects. Exaggerated immune response promotes
the onset of autoimmune, hypersensitive, and inflammatory disease pathogenesis.
Inappropriate immune response is demonstrated in transplant rejections as well.
Unregulated inflammatory response-initiated immune cell activation has been identified as a prominent contributor to metabolic, neurological, and cardiovascular disorders as well as cancer malignancies. Ongoing immune responses may eventually
lead to detrimental effects causing irreparable tissue damage and loss of function.
Anti-inflammatory agents with potential caliber to modulate the components of
immune system may offer a competent treatment option against inflammationlinked immune disorders.
10.1.1 Immune Response and Mediators
Immunity refers to the capacity of the body to avail protection against infectious
diseases and is classified broadly into innate and adaptive immune responses. Innate
immunity is evolutionarily the older form of defense and facilitates the first line of
protection against infection mediated via a variety of cells: neutrophils, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, eosinophils, basophils, mast cells, megakaryocytes, and
platelets. Innate defensive strategy also involves barriers such as anatomic (skin and
mucosal membrane), physiologic (pH, temperature, chemical mediators), phagocytic, endocytic, and inflammatory responses. Inflammation is an innate immune
response to infection or injury and mediated through complement activation and
phagocytosis. Innate immune response can integrate with adaptive immunity by
antigen presentation to specific T lymphocytes via macrophages. Adaptive immunity is activated in response to an antigenic challenge to the organism. T lymphocytes and immunoglobulins are the major executors. Regulation of immune response
can be brought about by various mechanisms. Antigen-presenting cells (APC)
costimulate T cells by promoting cytokine and chemokine synthesis. T cells regulate immune response through subsets such as TH1, TH2, and TH17. Regulatory T
cells belong to CD4 or CD8 subpopulations and inhibit immune response via antiinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-10 and TGF-β. Neuroendocrine (corticosteroids) and genetic factors (MHC) can also regulate immune response. Cytokines
constitute major inflammatory mediators with direct impact on immune regulation.
The immune system requires both cellular and humoral factors for its induction and
B.C. Bhavya and M. Haridas