Last edited: 8/9/2021

INFLAMMATION: CELLULAR EVENTS

Immunology: Inflammation: Cellular Events Medical Editor: Dr. Sofia Suhada M. Uzir

OUTLINE
I) OVERVIEW – EVENTS IN INFLAMMATION
II) REVIEW QUESTIONS
III) REFERENCES

I) OVERVIEW – EVENTS IN INFLAMMATION

● WBCs leave blood and enter tissue spaces → where

pathogen is, and this leads to different cellular events
including phagocytosis and nonspecific pathogen killing

(A) PHAGOCYTOSIS
● This process is mainly carried out by neutrophils and
macrophages
● Neutrophils and macrophages perform phagocytosis of
pathogen taking pathogen into cell
→ forming a phagosome → this combines with
lysosomes (have specific types of hydrolytic
enzymes) in cells → forming a phagolysosome Figure 1. Phagocytosis after an injury [Lumen Learning]

→ lysosomal enzymes break down pathogen (2) Macrophages

macromolecules into small pieces (antigens) ● In macrophages these antigens may be expressed on
MHC II molecules on cell surface
(1) Neutrophils o These macrophages are referred to as Antigen
● In neutrophils these antigens are exocytosed into Presenting cells (APCs) → these APCs then interact
interstitial fluid and then carried to nearby lymph nodes with T-helper cells
● Neutrophils also kill these pathogens in the ● These will later on also go to the nearby lymph nodes
phagolysosome via respiratory burst
(i) Antigen Presenting cells (APCs)
(i) Mechanism
o Macrophages
o The neutrophils use reactive oxygen species like o Dendritic Cells
H202 to make HOCL via an enzyme called o B-cells
myeloperoxidase
o This HOCL destroys the pathogens but in the process
HOCL molecules also destroy neutrophils as well →
leading to DNA of neutrophil being released out of
cell
→ This DNA binds to other pathogens in a net like
fashion (neutrophil extracellular trap) → this
enhances other WBCs to phagocytose that
tagged pathogen

Figure 2. Inflammatory response showing macrophages and

neutrophils acting on pathogens [Biology exams 4 U]

INFLAMMATION: CELLULAR EVENTS IMMUNOLOGY: Note #1. 1 of 3

 (B) NONSPECIFIC PATHOGEN KILLING
(1) Natural killer cells
● Activation of natural killer cells
(i) Through MHC I complex
● If a viral pathogen infects tissue cells
→ virus induces abnormal MHC I complex or inhibit MHC
I formation
o This foreign MHC I or absent MHC I due to viral
infection → activates natural killer cells
o The activated natural killer cells → release perforins
and granzymes which trigger apoptosis of viral
infected cells
(ii) Via antibody dependent cell mediated
cytotoxicity
● If IgG antibodies made by plasma cells bind viral antigens
expressed on MHC I complex
→ This allows natural killer cells to bind to Fc portion of
IgG antibody via their CD-16 protein
→ This activates the natural killer cells
o The activated natural killer cells then release perforins
and granzymes which trigger apoptosis of viral
infected cells

Figure 3. Direct and indirect activation of NK cells

[Frontiers in Immunology]

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 II) REVIEW QUESTIONS III) REFERENCES
● Amir Horowitz, Kerstub A. Stegnabb abd Ekeabir M. Riley.
Which refers to swelling as a result of inflammation?
Activation of natural killer cells during microbial infections. [Digital
a. Erythema image] https://internal-
b. Edema journal.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2011.00088/full 2012.
c. Granuloma ● Biology Exams 4 U [Digital image]
https://www.biologyexams4u.com/2012/11/immunology-
d. Vasodilation inflammatory-response.html
● Lumen Microbiology Course [Digital image]
Which type of inflammation occurs at the site of an https://courses.lumenlearning.com/microbiology/chapter/inflammatio
injury or infection? n-and-fever/
a. Acute ● Cara Splash. Inflammation Quiz. 2021
b. Chronic https://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz28640520ca160.html
● Le T, Bhushan V, Sochat M, Chavda Y, Zureick A. First Aid for
c. Endogenous the USMLE Step 1 2018. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2017
d. Exogenous ● Marieb EN, Hoehn K. Anatomy & Physiology. Hoboken, NJ:
Pearson; 2020.
Which of these processes is NOT one of the cellular ● Boron WF, Boulpaep EL. Medical Physiology.; 2017.
events involved in the inflammatory process? ● Urry LA, Cain ML, Wasserman SA, Minorsky PV, Orr RB,
Campbell NA. Campbell Biology. New York, NY: Pearson; 2020.
a. Margination
● Jameson JL, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, Hauser SL, Longo DL,
b. Diapedesis Loscalzo J. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. New York
c. Selection etc.: McGraw-Hill Education; 2018.
d. Rolling ● lberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, Raff M, Roberts K, Walter P .
Molecular Biology of the Cell. New York, NY: Garland Science;
Which of the following is NOT and antigen 2002
● Murphy K, Weaver C. Janeway's Immunobiology. Garland
presenting cells? Science; 2016
a. Macrophages ● Doan T, Melvold R, Viselli S, Waltenbaugh C. Immunology.
b. Dendritic Cells Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2012
● Levinson W. Review of Medical Microbiology and Immunology.
c. B-Cells
Lange; 2012
d. T-cells
Which of the following processes is not a step in
phagocytosis?
a. Recognition
b. Adhesion
c. Engulfment
d. Degradation
What is the name of the enzyme involve in
neutrophil’s reaction during an inflammation?
a. Myroxomes
b. Myeloperoxidase
c. Perforins
d. Granzymes
Which statement is incorrect regarding
macrophages?
a. It has no role during an inflammatory response
b. It may be expressed on MHC II molecules
c. It is considered as an APCs
d. It interacts with T-helper cells during an inflammation
Regarding nonspecific pathogen killing, which is
true?
a. The virus induces abnormal MHC II complex or
inhibit MHC II formation
b. It has no role in antibody dependent cell mediated
cytotoxicity
c. Perforins and granzymes are released
d. It inactivates natural killer cells
Regarding perforins, which is true?
a. It is activated by neutrophils
b. It triggers apoptosis of viral infected cells
c. It triggers hemolysis of blood cells
d. It is phagocytosed by the macrophages
Which of the following statements regarding IgG
antibodies are correct?
a. It helps release myeloperoxidase enzymes
b. It helps phagocytosis of viral infected cells through
the release of neutrophils
c. It is made by plasma cells
d. It helps in regulation of body temperature when
inflammation occurs

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

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