Inflammation is a big part of how our bodies react to injury or illness. It can lead to cell damage or even death in several ways:
Cytokine Release: Special signals called cytokines, like TNF-α and IL-1β, can push cells towards a process called apoptosis, which is a way cells naturally die. In some cases of inflammation, about 50% of cells can be affected by this.
Oxidative Stress: During inflammation, our bodies create reactive oxygen species (ROS). These are tiny, harmful molecules that can hurt our cells. Many chronic inflammatory diseases, about 30% of them, show signs of this kind of damage. This can lead to problems like DNA damage and issues with fats in our cells.
Cellular Recruitment: Some white blood cells, like neutrophils and macrophages, rush to the site of inflammation. However, this can also cause extra harm to the tissue. Research suggests that about 20% of injuries in sudden inflammatory situations come from the activity of neutrophils.
Fibrosis: When inflammation lasts a long time, it can cause certain cells called fibroblasts to become overactive. This can lead to fibrosis, which means there is too much scar tissue. Up to 40% of people with chronic inflammatory diseases can develop serious fibrosis, which can affect how well their organs work.
Inflammatory Mediators: Some enzymes called proteases, which are released by our immune cells, can break down the parts that support our tissues. This can make tissue damage even worse.
These points show how inflammation is connected to how cells live or die, and they play a big role in how diseases turn out.
Inflammation is a big part of how our bodies react to injury or illness. It can lead to cell damage or even death in several ways:
Cytokine Release: Special signals called cytokines, like TNF-α and IL-1β, can push cells towards a process called apoptosis, which is a way cells naturally die. In some cases of inflammation, about 50% of cells can be affected by this.
Oxidative Stress: During inflammation, our bodies create reactive oxygen species (ROS). These are tiny, harmful molecules that can hurt our cells. Many chronic inflammatory diseases, about 30% of them, show signs of this kind of damage. This can lead to problems like DNA damage and issues with fats in our cells.
Cellular Recruitment: Some white blood cells, like neutrophils and macrophages, rush to the site of inflammation. However, this can also cause extra harm to the tissue. Research suggests that about 20% of injuries in sudden inflammatory situations come from the activity of neutrophils.
Fibrosis: When inflammation lasts a long time, it can cause certain cells called fibroblasts to become overactive. This can lead to fibrosis, which means there is too much scar tissue. Up to 40% of people with chronic inflammatory diseases can develop serious fibrosis, which can affect how well their organs work.
Inflammatory Mediators: Some enzymes called proteases, which are released by our immune cells, can break down the parts that support our tissues. This can make tissue damage even worse.
These points show how inflammation is connected to how cells live or die, and they play a big role in how diseases turn out.