Inflammation and Immune Response

Inflammation is a fundamental protective response of the immune system to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. This vital process is characterized by the classic signs of redness, heat, swelling, and pain, which result from increased blood flow, vascular permeability, and the migration of immune cells from the bloodstream into the affected tissues. As a cornerstone of the innate immune response, inflammation serves to localize and eliminate the injurious agent, clear out cellular debris, and initiate tissue repair, while also acting as a critical signal to activate and direct the more specific, long-lasting adaptive immune response.

1. Introduction to Inflammation and the Immune System
   1. Defining Inflammation
      1. Concept and Basic Definition
      2. Protective Functions
         1. Host Defense Mechanisms
         2. Pathogen Elimination
         3. Tissue Repair Initiation
      3. Pathological Roles
         1. Excessive Inflammatory Responses
         2. Chronic Tissue Damage
         3. Autoimmune Disorders
      4. Cardinal Signs of Inflammation
         1. Redness (Rubor)
         2. Heat (Calor)
         3. Swelling (Tumor)
         4. Pain (Dolor)
         5. Loss of Function (Functio Laesa)
      5. Historical Development of Inflammatory Concepts
   2. Overview of the Immune System
      1. Basic Organization and Structure
      2. Primary Lymphoid Organs
         1. Bone Marrow
            1. Hematopoiesis
            2. B Cell Development
         2. Thymus
            1. T Cell Development
            2. Positive and Negative Selection
      3. Secondary Lymphoid Organs
         1. Lymph Nodes
            1. Structure and Function
            2. Antigen Filtration
         2. Spleen
            1. White Pulp and Red Pulp
            2. Blood Filtration
         3. Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT)
            1. Peyer's Patches
            2. Tonsils
            3. Bronchus-Associated Lymphoid Tissue
      4. Innate Immunity Fundamentals
         1. Characteristics
            1. Non-specific Recognition
            2. Immediate Response
            3. No Memory Formation
         2. Evolutionary Conservation
      5. Adaptive Immunity Fundamentals
         1. Characteristics
            1. Antigen Specificity
            2. Immunological Memory
            3. Clonal Diversity
         2. Evolutionary Development
      6. Integration of Innate and Adaptive Responses