Inappropriate inflammatory responses

An alteration in the inflammatory response regulated by intestinal epithelial cells may also contribute to development of IBD. This may involve inappropriate processing of antigens presented to the GI epithelial cells.3 The inflammatory response in IBD may actually be directed at bacteria that normally colonize... 

Excessive inflammatory responses may result from inappropriate cellular signaling. On the other hand, inflammation is normally a protective response, and its lack can lead to increased susceptibility to infections. Dysregulation of cellular division can lead to neoplasia or aplasia. Neoplastic changes reflect a dysregulation of cell growth, whether from failure of apoptosis or other mechanisms. 

Immunoenhancement, which, as adverse effect, may lead to immune-mediated diseases such as hypersensitivity reactions and autoimmune diseases. Hypersensitivity reactions are the result of normally beneficial immune responses acting inappropriately, causing inflammatory reactions and tissue damage. The two most frequent manifestation of chemical-induced allergy are contact hypersensitivity and respiratory sensitization, both of which can have a serious impact on quality of life and represent a common occupational health problem. Hypersensitivity reactions are often considered to be increased at such a rate to become a major health problem in relation to environmental chemical exposure. 

Nifedipine also has a use in the treatment of Raynaud s disease. In Raynaud s disease, there is inappropriate vasoconstriction in the fingers and toes, usually in response to cold. The condition can be mild or severe leading to ulceration and possibly gangrene of the digits. Raynaud s disease can occur on its own, or as a consequence of systemic sclerosis or systemic lupus erythematosus, both chronic inflammatory diseases (see Chapter 7). 

Proper development of immune tolerance is necessary for the maintenance of gut homeostasis and an efficient response against pathogens. Dysregulation of the involved mechanisms can lead to inappropriate intestinal inflammation against microbiota, such as inflammatory bowel disease. The immaturity of the neonatal immune system explains the age-dependent differences of the immune responses against pathogens and the susceptibility to different types of infection (Tourneur and Chassin 2013). 

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