Inflammation as defined by Dictionary.com is the reaction of the body to injury or infection, characterized by swelling, heat, redness and pain. The inflammatory process includes release of inflammatory mediators by cells within the damaged tissue. These mediators increase blood flow to the damaged tissues and recruit cells of the immune system (e.g. white blood) into the tissue. The immune cells release additional factors that facilitate healing of the tissue, and clearance of pathogens and cellular debris and resolution of the inflammatory cascade. In the setting of acute infection, inflammation protects the tissue. By contrast, inflammation that is not rapidly resolved can result in chronic inflammatory disease and ongoing tissue damage. Unresolved inflammation, which can affect all organ systems, contributes to the development and severity of essentially all chronic disease syndromes.

Understanding the underlying cause of chronic immune-mediated inflammation and identifying therapeutics to treat inflammation represents a major goal of researchers at UAB. Chronic inflammatory disorders include autoimmune and allergic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, gout, scleroderma, lupus and asthma. In addition, inflammatory processes contribute to the poor health outcomes associated with obesity, cardiometabolic syndrome, diabetes, cancer and even Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Learn more about UAB research that focuses on the role of inflammation in health and disease here.