Innate Immunity

May 20, 2021 by in RHEUMATOLOGY Comments Off on Innate Immunity

Key Points Innate immunity depends on recognition of conserved molecular patterns found in many microorganisms. Several families of pattern recognition receptors are responsible for triggering innate immune responses. Toll-like receptors…

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Principles of Signaling

May 20, 2021 by in RHEUMATOLOGY Comments Off on Principles of Signaling

Key Points Cells of the immune system sense environmental stimuli via receptors, which may be expressed on the cell surface or may be intra-cellular. Interaction of ligands with receptors initiates…

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Platelets and Megakaryocytes

May 20, 2021 by in RHEUMATOLOGY Comments Off on Platelets and Megakaryocytes

Key Points Platelets are small subcellular fragments that circulate in blood, where they promote hemostasis. Platelets express receptors and a multitude of mediators recognized as being active in inflammation. Inhibition…

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Mast Cells

May 20, 2021 by in RHEUMATOLOGY Comments Off on Mast Cells

Key Points Mast cells arise in the bone marrow, circulate as immature precursors, and develop into functional mast cells after entering peripheral tissues. The phenotype of mast cells is diverse,…

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Fibroblasts and Fibroblast-like Synoviocytes

May 20, 2021 by in RHEUMATOLOGY Comments Off on Fibroblasts and Fibroblast-like Synoviocytes

Key Points Fibroblasts are programmed epigenetically to determine the unique structure and function of different organs and tissues. These unique features might contribute to organ-specific disease. Tissue fibroblasts may be…

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B Cells

May 20, 2021 by in RHEUMATOLOGY Comments Off on B Cells

Key Points Immunoglobulins (Igs) are key to B cell function because they serve as both an antigen receptor and a major secreted product. The variable region binds antigen and is…

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T Lymphocytes

May 20, 2021 by in RHEUMATOLOGY Comments Off on T Lymphocytes

Key Points T cells develop primarily in the thymus. The importance of the thymus is underscored by the absence of T cells in patients in whom the thymus has failed…

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Neutrophils

May 20, 2021 by in RHEUMATOLOGY Comments Off on Neutrophils

Key Points Neutrophils are myeloid-lineage cells characterized by the presence of granules containing enzymes and other potentially toxic agents involved in host defense. Neutrophils are short-lived, terminally differentiated cells that…

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