Inflammation

Inflammation is a coordinated biological response to pathogens tissue damage or environmental stressors involving immune and non-immune cells signaling pathways and soluble mediators to restore homeostasis. Acute inflammation is protective marked by rapid innate immune activation leukocyte recruitment and cytokine release (TNF-α IL-1β IL-6) with NF-κB MAPK and JAK/STAT pathways driving gene transcription. Resolution occurs via pro-resolving lipid mediators anti-inflammatory cytokines and clearance of apoptotic cells. Dysregulation leads to chronic inflammation driving autoimmune diseases cardiovascular disorders metabolic syndromes cancers and neurodegeneration. In CVD vascular inflammation induces endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis; in metabolic disease low-grade inflammation promotes insulin resistance and NAFLD; in cancer it fosters genomic instability and immune evasion. Neuroinflammation mediated by microglia and astrocytes contributes to Alzheimer's Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis. Understanding these mechanisms enables targeted therapies that suppress pathological inflammation while preserving protective functions.