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We can think of inflammation as a term describing activation of the immune system. The immune system is a set of cells (white blood cells) responsible for fighting infection. White blood cells circulate in all tissues, and are usually able to recognize foreign organisms, (bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc). When making contact with a microbe, white blood cells signal other white blood cells to assist against the target, and release chemical substances that destroy the target organism. This process is inflammation, and the associated redness, swelling, and pain is the result of the collection of white blood cells and the destructive chemical substances they release. To enable this process, white blood cells must
be able to recognize their native tissue (our own bodies), and distinguish
this from infectious microbes. This self-recognition process involves
a complex set up cellular interactions which are not completely
understood. Is appears to be the case that, in autoimmune diseases,
the self-recognition process goes awry, and the immune system generates
a reaction inappropriately directed at one's own tissue. |
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