Regulation of Inflammatory Responses in Shock-Related Syndromes by Synthetic Oligopeptides and Steroids Zee, M. van der 2010-10-13 Doctoral Thesis Gynaecology & Obstetrics

Inflammation is the body’s way of responding to disturbances in homeostasis. Depending on the triggering event and the site of inflammation, the inflammatory response has different physiological purposes and pathological consequences (Figure 1). Inducers of inflammation are either foreign molecules or molecules derived from the body itself (self-molecules). These molecules, of which a selection is listed in Table 1, often contain highly conserved molecular patterns that are recognized by specific receptors that are expressed by cells of the immune system, but also by other cell types. Receptor binding of these molecularly conserved patterns leads to the production and secretion of inflammatory mediators that alter tissue functionality such that the tissue adapts to the harmful insult and homeostasis can be restored.
http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/20935/101013_Zee%2C%20Marten%20van%20der.pdf