Biomaterial Database

Inflammatory cell activation in sepsis. 1999

G Bellingan

Bloomsbury Institute of Intensive Care Medicine, Rayne Institute, London, UK.

The body relies for protection on an effective inflammatory response. To sustain an armoury of inflammatory cells in a state of permanent activation would be impossible and a system whereby such cells can be rapidly activated is, therefore, employed. Upon transition from the resting to activated state inflammatory cells perform multiple defensive functions and are then removed, limiting the duration of inflammation. Neutrophils are the major circulating inflammatory cells but macrophages exert a more powerful regulatory effect. If the inflammatory response is inadequate there is a risk of overwhelming sepsis. By contrast, an unregulated response can lead to systemic inflammation and consequent multiple organ damage. This review focuses on the mechanisms whereby inflammatory cells are activated, how the regulatory system may misfunction and how it may in the future be manipulated to therapeutic advantage.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007249	Inflammation	A pathological process characterized by injury or destruction of tissues caused by a variety of cytologic and chemical reactions. It is usually manifested by typical signs of pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function.	Innate Inflammatory Response,Inflammations,Inflammatory Response, Innate,Innate Inflammatory Responses
D008262	Macrophage Activation	The process of altering the morphology and functional activity of macrophages so that they become avidly phagocytic. It is initiated by lymphokines, such as the macrophage activation factor (MAF) and the macrophage migration-inhibitory factor (MMIF), immune complexes, C3b, and various peptides, polysaccharides, and immunologic adjuvants.	Activation, Macrophage,Activations, Macrophage,Macrophage Activations
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D015815	Cell Adhesion Molecules	Surface ligands, usually glycoproteins, that mediate cell-to-cell adhesion. Their functions include the assembly and interconnection of various vertebrate systems, as well as maintenance of tissue integration, wound healing, morphogenic movements, cellular migrations, and metastasis.	Cell Adhesion Molecule,Intercellular Adhesion Molecule,Intercellular Adhesion Molecules,Leukocyte Adhesion Molecule,Leukocyte Adhesion Molecules,Saccharide-Mediated Cell Adhesion Molecules,Saccharide Mediated Cell Adhesion Molecules,Adhesion Molecule, Cell,Adhesion Molecule, Intercellular,Adhesion Molecule, Leukocyte,Adhesion Molecules, Cell,Adhesion Molecules, Intercellular,Adhesion Molecules, Leukocyte,Molecule, Cell Adhesion,Molecule, Intercellular Adhesion,Molecule, Leukocyte Adhesion,Molecules, Cell Adhesion,Molecules, Intercellular Adhesion,Molecules, Leukocyte Adhesion
D018375	Neutrophil Activation	The process in which the neutrophil is stimulated by diverse substances, resulting in degranulation and/or generation of reactive oxygen products, and culminating in the destruction of invading pathogens. The stimulatory substances, including opsonized particles, immune complexes, and chemotactic factors, bind to specific cell-surface receptors on the neutrophil.	Activation, Neutrophil,Activations, Neutrophil,Neutrophil Activations
D018805	Sepsis	Systemic inflammatory response syndrome with a proven or suspected infectious etiology. When sepsis is associated with organ dysfunction distant from the site of infection, it is called severe sepsis. When sepsis is accompanied by HYPOTENSION despite adequate fluid infusion, it is called SEPTIC SHOCK.	Bloodstream Infection,Pyaemia,Pyemia,Pyohemia,Blood Poisoning,Poisoning, Blood,Septicemia,Severe Sepsis,Blood Poisonings,Bloodstream Infections,Infection, Bloodstream,Poisonings, Blood,Pyaemias,Pyemias,Pyohemias,Sepsis, Severe,Septicemias
D018836	Inflammation Mediators	The endogenous compounds that mediate inflammation (AUTACOIDS) and related exogenous compounds including the synthetic prostaglandins (PROSTAGLANDINS, SYNTHETIC).	Mediators of Inflammation,Mediators, Inflammation