Inflammation: Cellular Implications, Diseases Linked to Inflammation, and Therapeutic Avenues

Inflammation is a fundamental physiological response orchestrated by the immune system to combat various harmful stimuli, including infections, injuries, and toxic agents. This intricate biological process is characterized by a series of events involving immune cells, chemical mediators, and molecular signaling pathways. While inflammation is crucial for initiating tissue repair and defending the body against pathogens, its dysregulation can result in detrimental effects on cellular structures and overall health.

Internal Cellular Impact

Inflammation involves the activation of immune cells such as macrophages, neutrophils, and lymphocytes, which release pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and other mediators. These signaling molecules attract immune cells to the site of injury or infection. Initially, inflammation serves to isolate and eliminate the harmful agents, but when sustained or excessive, it can lead to the aberrant activation of immune cells and excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are free radicals that can inflict damage to cellular components such as lipids, proteins, and DNA, resulting in oxidative stress and potentially causing mutations and cell death.