The inflammatory response is the body’s innate, protective reaction to cellular injury, infection, or irritation, characterized by the localized release of chemical mediators and the recruitment of immune cells. Acute inflammation is a transient, necessary process for initiating tissue repair and pathogen elimination. Chronic, low-grade inflammation, however, is a persistent, systemic state implicated in the pathogenesis of nearly all age-related diseases and hormonal dysregulation. Balancing this response is essential for longevity and metabolic health.
Origin
The term derives from the Latin word inflammare, meaning “to set on fire,” which accurately describes the classic clinical signs of heat and redness. The scientific understanding of inflammation was formalized by the Roman physician Celsus and later detailed by scientists in the 19th century, recognizing it as a vascular and cellular reaction. The modern focus is on the molecular signaling pathways that perpetuate chronic inflammation.
Mechanism
The process begins with the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and eicosanoids from damaged cells and resident immune cells. These mediators increase vascular permeability and recruit leukocytes, such as neutrophils and macrophages, to the site of injury. The resolution phase involves the switch to pro-resolving mediators, which actively clear debris and signal the cessation of the response, facilitating the return to tissue homeostasis.
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