Glossary of key terms
antibodies:
immunoglobulins; produced by B cell plasma cells in response to a specific protein; react with that protein to cause its
destruction directly or through activation of the inflammatory response
antigen:
foreign protein that induces specific immune responses
arachidonic acid:
released from injured cells to stimulate the inflammatory response through activation of various chemical
substances
autoimmune disease:
a disorder that occurs when the body responds to specific self-antigens to produce antibodies or cell-mediated
responses against its own cells
B cells:
lymphocytes programmed to recognise specific proteins; when activated, these cells cause the production of antibodies to
react with that protein
calour:
heat, one of the four cardinal signs of inflammation; caused by activation of the inflammatory response
chemotaxis:
property of drawing neutrophils to an area
complement proteins:
series of cascading proteins that react with the antigen–antibody complex to destroy the protein or stimulate
an inflammatory reaction
dolour:
pain, one of the four cardinal signs of inflammation; caused by activation of the inflammatory response
Hageman factor:
first factor activated when a blood vessel or cell is injured; starts the cascading reaction of the clotting factors,
activates the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin to dissolve clots and activates the kinin system responsible for activation of the
inflammatory response
interferon:
tissue hormone that is released in response to viral invasion; blocks viral replication
interleukins:
chemicals released by white blood cells (WBCs) to communicate with other WBCs and to support the inflammatory and
immune reactions
kinin system:
system activated by Hageman factor as part of the inflammatory response; includes bradykinin
leucocytes:
white blood cells; can be neutrophils, basophils or eosinophils
lymphocytes:
white blood cells with large, varied nuclei; can be T cells or B cells
macrophages:
mature leucocytes that are capable of phagocytising an antigen (foreign protein); also called monocytes or
mononuclear phagocytes
major histocompatibility complex (MHC):
the genetic identification code carried on a chromosome; produces several proteins or
antigens that allow the body to recognise cells as being self cells
mast cells:
fixed basophils found in the respiratory and GI tracts and in the skin, which release chemical mediators of the inflammatory
and immune responses when they are stimulated by local irritation
Test your current knowledge of immune response and inflammation with a PrepU Practice Quiz!
Learning objectives
Upon completion of this chapter, you should be able to:
1.
List four natural body defences against infection.
2.
Describe the cells associated with the body’s fight against infection and their basic functions.
3.
Outline the sequence of events in the inflammatory response.
4.
Correlate the events in the inflammatory response with the clinical picture of inflammation.
5.
Outline the sequence of events in an antibody-related immune reaction and correlate these events with the
clinical presentation of such a reaction.
Introduction to the immune
response and inflammation
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