Macrophages immune system scavenger

Inflammation is a product of the immune system. As an immune response, it involves activation of immune system scavenger cells (macrophages) and secretion of inflammatory hormone-like signaling proteins (cytokines). But secretion of cytokines may also be provoked by noninfectious toxic agents— by anything that damages cells. Contact dermatitis of the skin, for example, involves an inflammatory response to certain chemicals without any initial infection. 

Inflammation is always connected with the production of free radicals by inflammatory cells, so that, substances acting as radical scavengers have some anti-inflammatory capabilities. In this section, the activities of chlorogenic acids on cells of the immune system, namely mast cell, macrophage and neutrophil, are discussed. 

Much research has focused on marijuana s effects on the immune system. Some research has shown that one type of immune system cell called the macrophage (scavenger cell) is particularly sensitive to THC exposure. Macrophages clear the body of viruses, bacteria, and particles that are inhaled or ingested. These studies found the presence of cannabinoid receptors on macrophages, suggesting that THC can disrupt normal immune system functions and may eventually inhibit the body s natural immune response. 

Fig. 13.2 The lipid whisker model. Cell membranes of senescent or apoptotic cells contain oxidized phospholipids with sn-2 oxidized fatty acid acyl chains protruding into the extracellular space. This conformation renders them accessible to interact with scavenger receptors and other pattern recognition receptors on the surface of probing macrophages of the innate immune system (Greenberg et al., 2008 Permission for use of this figure has been requested from The Journal of Biological Chemistry.)...

Besides the O2 production by stimulated immune system cells (such as macrophages and neutrophils exposed to oxidative burst during the inflammatory process) 21-25a), the steady release of O2 over time intervals has been observed in human fibroblasts in response to cytokines such as interleukin-la and tumor necrosis factor-a 25). This suggests that continuous O2 production may have a role in the regulation of inflammatory processes (7). Consequently, the role of superoxide dismutases in such compartments may be that of ensuring O2 homeostasis rather than its scavenging. 

In the reticuloendothelial system of animals, various cell populations cooperate to produce the humoral immune response. These cells circulate throughout the body in the blood and lymph systems. They are found in especially high concentrations in the spleen and the lymph nodes. Foreign antigens are initially recognized by scavenger surveillance cells called macrophages. 

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