Innate and adaptive immunity<\/h3>\n
Innate immunity<\/b><\/span> is present from birth and includes granulocytes and the complement system. Granulocytes <\/span>are <\/b>short-lived white blood cells that contain small granules that serve to dissolve foreign substances. The <\/span>complement system<\/b>, based on about 30 proteins<\/span>, cascades<\/span><\/i>, participating in the process of defense against infection<\/span>.<\/p>\n Then there is<\/span> specific or adaptive immunity<\/b>, also known as<\/span> acquired<\/b> immunity, which is directed<\/span> in a targeted<\/b> way against microorganisms<\/b> we have already<\/span> encountered, either because<\/span> of a previous infection or through vaccination<\/b>, for example.. A central role is played here by<\/span> T cells-or T lymphocytes-along with B cells and macrophages. T <\/span>lymphocytes<\/b> guide the operations by which attempts are made to eliminate microorganisms, directing cells and chemicals to the appropriate place. B <\/span>lymphocytes<\/b> produce<\/span> antibodies<\/b> directed against the specific pathogen and call up other substances (the complement system) against invasion. Then there are <\/span>the macrophages<\/b>–literally big eaters-which act as the<\/span> \u201cscavengers<\/b>\u201dof our body, \u201ceating\u201d and eliminating pathogens and other wastes, such as dead granulocytes and waste substances produced in the process of activating the immune system. In this cleansing operation, macrophages acquire information that they pass on to lymphocytes, which in turn will keep a record of it.<\/span><\/p>\n According to a Latin saying popular among physicians, inflammation is manifested by \u201ccalor, dolor, rubor and tumor,\u201d meaning heat, pain, redness and swelling. The saying, still in use today, refers mainly to acute inflammation, while chronic inflammation is less visible and can be <\/span>more difficult to detect, both for the patient and the physician<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Inflammation<\/b> and elevated<\/span> LDL cholesterol<\/b> levels are two ingredients that can contribute to<\/span> cardiovascular disease<\/b> and potentially fatal events such as heart attack. In this case, inflammation can be measured by levels of a marker <\/span>C-reactive protein<\/b> (Pcr), in the blood. Those who <\/span>have elevated levels<\/b> of C-reactive protein (measured with high-sensitivity tests<\/b>; read \u201cHow to Measure Inflammation\u201d for more details), in fact, would have twice the risk<\/b> of going on to have a heart attack<\/b>,<\/span> twice the risk<\/b> of going on to have a<\/span> heart attack<\/b>, and the likelihood is even greater if<\/span> LDL cholesterol<\/b> is also<\/span> high<\/b>.. The reason? When LDL cholesterol becomes oxidized, it is easily recognized and ingested by macrophages: loaded with lipids, these immune system cells are deposited on the artery wall and covered with fibrous tissue, forming <\/span>atherosclerotic plaques<\/b>. In some cases, when they grow and when their lining is under stress, these plaques can rupture and clots can<\/span> clog<\/b> a coronary artery, causing a heart attack.<\/p>\n Macrophages are the scavengers of the immune system: they phagocytize and eliminate pathogens, infected cells, and cellular debris. They also contribute to the mechanisms of immunological memory<\/p><\/div>\n Some large observational studies (in which researchers do not directly intervene but merely observe a certain phenomenon) have shown an association between high Pcr levels<\/strong> and insulin resistance<\/strong>. Insulin resistance, which is often the prelude to diabetes<\/strong>, occurs when cells do not allow insulin to enter them, resulting in blood glucose not being metabolized adequately.<\/p>\n There is also a close link between inflammation and cancer. Almost 150 years ago, pathologist Rudolf Virchow noticed <\/span>that tumor tissue<\/b> contains<\/span> high concentrations of inflammatory cells<\/b> and hypothesized that tumors formed at sites where there is chronic inflammation. His hypothesis was later confirmed: about <\/span>15 percent<\/b> of malignant tumors are stringently linked to certain<\/span> infections<\/b>.. Certain substances produced in an inflammatory reaction, such as <\/span>free radicals<\/b>, can damage the DNA of cells and promote the development of cancer cells. Again <\/span>macrophages<\/b> come into play: these molecules, which have the role of eliminating microorganisms and waste products, can produce tumor<\/span> growth factors<\/b> and promote the proliferation of blood vessels that feed cancer cells<\/span>.<\/p>\n Some substances produced in an inflammatory reaction, such as<\/span> free radicals<\/b>, can damage the DNA of cells and promote the development of cancer cells<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The blood-brain barrier defends the brain from potentially dangerous external attacks, such as infection, and inflammation. While we are quite protected from the outside, some damage can occur within this barrier. Here <\/span>microglia<\/b> cells, the brain counterpart of macrophages, scurry and engulf foreign substances releasing<\/span> inflammatory molecules<\/b>.. When this release is excessive, problems can occur: this is the case <\/span>with beta-amyloid protein<\/b>, which is thought to play a major role in<\/span> Alzheimer<\/b>\u2019s.. Microglia cells incorporate beta-amyloid, forming the plaques characteristic of the disease. <\/span><\/p>\n We delved into the methods most widely used today to measure chronic latent inflammation in another article you will find on the SoLongevity website.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Once seen only as helpful and protective, we now know that inflammation can contribute to the development of numerous diseases<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":137,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[158,71],"tags":[160,159,170],"class_list":["post-18019","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-en","category-scientific-study","tag-active-ageing","tag-longevity-science-en","tag-prevention"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nInflammation and cardiovascular risk<\/h3>\n
![\"Macrophages\"](\"https:\/\/solongevity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/shutterstock_1786912241.jpg\")
Inflammation and diabetes<\/h3>\n
Inflammation and cancer<\/h3>\n
Inflammation and Alzheimer\u2019s<\/h3>\n