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with potential immune-modulating effects include, cytokines, histamines, leukotrienes, and complement components, of which cytokines are considered as the prominent immune-modulators (Abramson et al. 1981; Tesch and König 1979; Soter and
Austen 1976). These inflammatory molecules can either up- or down regulate
immune response by positively or negatively influencing immune system mediators. Table 10.2 explains the major cellular mediators of inflammation, their origin
and activities, which are elaborately explained further in later sections of the
chapter.
10.2.1 Complement System
Complement system is the highly regulated humoral component of immune or
inflammatory response and primarily involved in eliminating cellular debris and
immune complexes. Phagocytosis and opsonization are the two elite functions of
the complement system by which it inhibits pathogen invasion. Complement system
Table 10.2 Important cellular inflammatory mediators with their functions
Name
Examples
Source
Action
Vasoactive amines
1. Histamine
Mast cells,
basophils
Vasodilation, increase vascular
permeability, activation of
endothelial cell
2. Serotonin
Platelets
Vasodilation, stimulate
vascular permeability
Prostaglandins
1. PGD2
Endothelial cells,
Vasodilation, edema,
2. PGI2
Inhibit platelet aggregation,
3. TXA2
Platelets
Vascular constriction, stimulate
platelet aggregation
Leukotrienes
1. LTB4
Neutrophils,
macrophages, mast
cells
Chemotactic agent for
neutrophils
2. LTC4, LTD4,
LTE4
Vascular constriction
bronchospasm
3. LTG4
Endogenous antagonists of
leukotrienes
Platelet activating
factor (PAF)
Leukocytes and
endothelial cells
Vascular constriction,
bronchoconstriction
Cytokines
TNF and
interleukins,
chemokines
Leukocytes,
macrophages,
lymphocytes
Inflammation and
immunomodulation
ROS
Macrophages,
neutrophils
Cytokine synthesis,
phagocytosis, necrosis
NO
Neurons,
macrophages,
endothelial cells
Vasodilation, antimicrobial
property, WBC recruitment
Lysosomal
enzymes
Acid protease
WBCs
Phagocytosis
Neutral peptides
10 Anti-inflammatory Molecules: Immune System Mediators
with potential immune-modulating effects include, cytokines, histamines, leukotrienes, and complement components, of which cytokines are considered as the prominent immune-modulators (Abramson et al. 1981; Tesch and König 1979; Soter and
Austen 1976). These inflammatory molecules can either up- or down regulate
immune response by positively or negatively influencing immune system mediators. Table 10.2 explains the major cellular mediators of inflammation, their origin
and activities, which are elaborately explained further in later sections of the
chapter.
10.2.1 Complement System
Complement system is the highly regulated humoral component of immune or
inflammatory response and primarily involved in eliminating cellular debris and
immune complexes. Phagocytosis and opsonization are the two elite functions of
the complement system by which it inhibits pathogen invasion. Complement system
Table 10.2 Important cellular inflammatory mediators with their functions
Name
Examples
Source
Action
Vasoactive amines
1. Histamine
Mast cells,
basophils
Vasodilation, increase vascular
permeability, activation of
endothelial cell
2. Serotonin
Platelets
Vasodilation, stimulate
vascular permeability
Prostaglandins
1. PGD2
Endothelial cells,
Vasodilation, edema,
2. PGI2
Inhibit platelet aggregation,
3. TXA2
Platelets
Vascular constriction, stimulate
platelet aggregation
Leukotrienes
1. LTB4
Neutrophils,
macrophages, mast
cells
Chemotactic agent for
neutrophils
2. LTC4, LTD4,
LTE4
Vascular constriction
bronchospasm
3. LTG4
Endogenous antagonists of
leukotrienes
Platelet activating
factor (PAF)
Leukocytes and
endothelial cells
Vascular constriction,
bronchoconstriction
Cytokines
TNF and
interleukins,
chemokines
Leukocytes,
macrophages,
lymphocytes
Inflammation and
immunomodulation
ROS
Macrophages,
neutrophils
Cytokine synthesis,
phagocytosis, necrosis
NO
Neurons,
macrophages,
endothelial cells
Vasodilation, antimicrobial
property, WBC recruitment
Lysosomal
enzymes
Acid protease
WBCs
Phagocytosis
Neutral peptides
10 Anti-inflammatory Molecules: Immune System Mediators