Biology of Inflammation: Molecular Mechanisms, Systemic Impact, and Therapeutic Frontiers


Authors : Tadikonda Rama Rao; Afshaan Tabassum; Hafsa Sharmeen; Sena Jessy Jasmine

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 9 - September


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/2jnu6pmt

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/yc4ztefa

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25sep1247

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Note : Google Scholar may take 30 to 40 days to display the article.


Abstract : Inflammation is a crucial biological process for defending the body and promoting tissue healing. However, when it becomes chronic, it contributes to the development of various contemporary diseases such as diabetes, heart conditions, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. This article delves into inflammation's cellular and molecular foundations, emphasizing the involvement of immune cells, cytokines, and critical signaling pathways like NF-κB and JAK-STAT. A range of endogenous and exogenous triggers—from infections and allergens to diet, stress, and environmental pollutants— are examined for their roles in initiating and sustaining inflammation. The systemic health impacts of unresolved inflammation are discussed, with emphasis on metabolic dysfunction, vascular pathology, and neuroimmune dysregulation. The article reviews diagnostic approaches, including biomarkers like CRP and IL-6 and imaging modalities such as PET and MRI. Management strategies encompass pharmacologic agents, lifestyle interventions, and emerging therapies including microbiome-based and personalized approaches. Early detection and integrated therapeutic strategies are critical to mitigating inflammation-related morbidity and advancing precision medicine.

Keywords : Inflammation, Inflammatory Biomarkers, Anti-Inflammatory Therapy.

References :

  1. Medzhitov R. Origin and physiological roles of inflammation. Nature. 2008;454(7203):428–435.
  2. Nathan C, Ding A. Nonresolving inflammation. Cell. 2010 March 19;140(6):871-882. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2010.02.029
  3. Solanki S. Inflammation: Types, Causes, Symptoms and Properties. Rapidleaks [Internet]. 2022 Jun 6 [cited 2025 Apr 15]; Available from: https://rapidleaks.com/lifestyle/health/inflammation-types-causes-symptoms-properties/
  4. Furman D, Campisi J, Verdin E, Carrera-Bastos P, Targ S, Franceschi C, et al. Chronic inflammation in the etiology of disease across the life span. Nat Med. 2019;25(12):1822-32.
  5. Takeuchi O, Akira S. Pattern recognition receptors and inflammation. Cell. 2010 Mar 19;140(6):805–20. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2010.01.022
  6. Nathan C. Points of control in inflammation. Nature. 2002 Dec 19–26;420(6917):846–52. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1038/nature01320 
  7. Ricciotti E, FitzGerald GA. Prostaglandins and inflammation. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2011 May;31(5):986–1000. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1161/ATVBAHA.110.207449
  8. O’Shea JJ, Plenge R. JAK and STAT signaling molecules in immunoregulation and immune-mediated disease. Immunity. 2012 Apr 20;36(4):542–50. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.immuni.2012.03.014
  9. Serhan CN. Pro-resolving lipid mediators are leads for resolution physiology. Nature. 2014 Jun 5;510(7503):92–101. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1038/nature13479
  10. Akira S, Uematsu S, Takeuchi O. Pathogen recognition and innate immunity. Cell. 2006 Feb 24;124(4):783–801. DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2006.02.015
  11. Garma J. Chronic stress and inflammation: The damage and what to do about it. GarmaOnHealth. [Internet]. [cited 2025 Apr 15]. Available from: https://garmaonhealth.com/chronic-stress-and-inflammation/
  12. Rock KL, Latz E, Ontiveros F, Kono H. The sterile inflammatory response. Annu Rev Immunol. 2010;28:321–42. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-immunol-030409-101311
  13. Brook RD, Rajagopalan S, Pope CA 3rd, Brook JR, Bhatnagar A, Diez-Roux AV, et al. Particulate matter air pollution and cardiovascular disease: An update to the scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2010 Jun 1;121(21):2331–78. DOI: 10.1161/CIR.0b013e3181dbece1
  14. Davidson A, Diamond B. Autoimmune diseases. N Engl J Med. 2001 Aug 2;345(5):340–50. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM200108023450506
  15. Hotamisligil GS. Inflammation and metabolic disorders. Nature. 2006 Dec 14;444(7121):860–7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1038/nature05485
  16. Irwin MR. Why sleep is important for health: A psychoneuroimmunology perspective. Annu Rev Psychol. 2015;66:143–172. DOI:10.1146/annurev-psych-010213-115205
  17. Straub RH. The complex role of estrogens in inflammation. Endocr Rev. 2007 Aug;28(5):521–574. DOI:10.1210/er.2007-0001.
  18. González F. Inflammation in polycystic ovary syndrome: Underpinning of insulin resistance and ovarian dysfunction. Steroids. 2012 Mar 10;77(4):300–305. DOI:10.1016/j.steroids.2011.11.017.
  19. Donath MY, Shoelson SE. Type 2 diabetes as an inflammatory disease. Nat Rev Immunol. 2011 Feb;11(2):98–107. DOI:10.1038/nri2925.​
  20. Libby, P. (2012). Inflammation in atherosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 32(9), 2045–2051. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1161/ATVBAHA.108.179705
  21. Heneka MT, Carson MJ, El Khoury J, Landreth GE, Brosseron F, Feinstein DL, et al. Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease. Lancet Neurol. 2015 Apr;14(4):388–405. DOI:10.1016/S1474-4422(15)70016-5.
  22. Smolen JS, Aletaha D, McInnes IB. Rheumatoid arthritis. Lancet. 2016 Oct 22;388(10055):2023–38. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30173-8
  23. Grivennikov SI, Greten FR, Karin M. Immunity, inflammation, and cancer. Cell. 2010 Mar 19;140(6):883–899. DOI:10.1016/j.cell.2010.01.025.​
  24. Dantzer R, O'Connor JC, Freund GG, Johnson RW, Kelley KW. From inflammation to sickness and depression: when the immune system subjugates the brain. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2008 Jan;9(1):46–56. DOI:10.1038/nrn2297.
  25. Libby P. Inflammation in atherosclerosis. Nature. 2002 Dec 19–26;420(6917):868–74. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1038/nature01323
  26. GrassrootsHealth. How to detect silent inflammation, an early warning of un-diagnosed diseases. GrassrootsHealth. [Internet]. 2023 Aug 16 [Accessed 2025 Apr 15]. Available from: https://www.grassrootshealth.net/blog/detect-silent-inflammation-early-warning-un-diagnosed-diseases/
  27. Miller AH, Raison CL. The role of inflammation in depression: from evolutionary imperative to modern treatment target. Nat Rev Immunol. 2016 Jan;16(1):22–34. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1038/nri.2015.5
  28. Mantovani A, Allavena P, Sica A, Balkwill F. Cancer-related inflammation. Nature. 2008 Jul 24;454(7203):436–44. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1038/nature07205
  29. Pepys MB, Hirschfield GM. C-reactive protein: a critical update. J Clin Invest. 2003 Jun;111(12):1805–12. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI18921
  30. Vane JR, Botting RM. Mechanism of action of antiinflammatory drugs. Int J Tissue React. 1998;20(1):3–15. PMID: 9561441.
  31. Barnes PJ. Anti-inflammatory actions of glucocorticoids: molecular mechanisms. Clin Sci (Lond). 1998 Jun;94(6):557–572. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1042/cs0940557
  32. Calder PC, Ahluwalia N, Brouns F, Buetler T, Clement K, Cunningham K, et al. Dietary factors and low-grade inflammation in relation to overweight and obesity. Br J Nutr. 2011 Dec;106 Suppl 3(S3):S1–78. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-154065
  33. Estruch R, Ros E, Salas-Salvadó J, Covas MI, Corella D, Arós F, et al. Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease with a Mediterranean diet. N Engl J Med. 2013;368(14):1279–1290. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1200303.
  34. Gleeson M, Bishop NC, Stensel DJ, Lindley MR, Mastana SS, Nimmo MA. The anti-inflammatory effects of exercise: mechanisms and implications for the prevention and treatment of disease. Nat Rev Immunol. 2011;11(9):607–615. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1038/nri3041
  35. Creswell JD, Irwin MR, Burklund LJ, Lieberman MD, Arevalo JMG, Ma J, et al. Mindfulness-based stress reduction training reduces loneliness and pro-inflammatory gene expression in older adults. Brain Behav Immun. 2012;26(7):1095–1101. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2012.07.006
  36. Ammon HPT. Boswellic acids in chronic inflammatory diseases. Planta Med. 2006;72(12):1100–1116. DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-947227.
  37. Kiecolt-Glaser JK, Bennett JM, Andridge R, Peng J, Christian L, Malarkey WB, et al. Yoga’s impact on inflammation, mood, and fatigue in breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Oncol. 2014;32(10):1040–1049. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2013.51.8860
  38. Belkaid Y, Hand TW. Role of the microbiota in immunity and inflammation. Cell. 2014;157(1):121–141. DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2014.03.011
  39. Belkaid Y, Harrison OJ. Homeostatic immunity and the microbiota. Immunity. 2017;46(4):562–576. DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2017.04.008

Inflammation is a crucial biological process for defending the body and promoting tissue healing. However, when it becomes chronic, it contributes to the development of various contemporary diseases such as diabetes, heart conditions, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. This article delves into inflammation's cellular and molecular foundations, emphasizing the involvement of immune cells, cytokines, and critical signaling pathways like NF-κB and JAK-STAT. A range of endogenous and exogenous triggers—from infections and allergens to diet, stress, and environmental pollutants— are examined for their roles in initiating and sustaining inflammation. The systemic health impacts of unresolved inflammation are discussed, with emphasis on metabolic dysfunction, vascular pathology, and neuroimmune dysregulation. The article reviews diagnostic approaches, including biomarkers like CRP and IL-6 and imaging modalities such as PET and MRI. Management strategies encompass pharmacologic agents, lifestyle interventions, and emerging therapies including microbiome-based and personalized approaches. Early detection and integrated therapeutic strategies are critical to mitigating inflammation-related morbidity and advancing precision medicine.

Keywords : Inflammation, Inflammatory Biomarkers, Anti-Inflammatory Therapy.

CALL FOR PAPERS


Paper Submission Last Date
31 - December - 2025

Video Explanation for Published paper

Never miss an update from Papermashup

Get notified about the latest tutorials and downloads.

Subscribe by Email

Get alerts directly into your inbox after each post and stay updated.
Subscribe
OR

Subscribe by RSS

Add our RSS to your feedreader to get regular updates from us.
Subscribe