Inflammatory mediators and associated signaling pathways

Inflammatory mediators and associated signaling pathways represent a broad network of signaling molecules and intracellular cascades that coordinate the immune response to injury, infection, and stress (StatPearls, 2023). This system includes diverse mediators such as cytokines (e.g., Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), Interleukin-1 (IL-1), and Interleukin-6 (IL-6)), chemokines, and lipid-derived prostaglandins, which interact with specific cell-surface receptors to initiate downstream signaling (PubMed, 2017). Key intracellular pathways involved include the Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kappaB), Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT), and Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades, which regulate the expression of genes involved in cell proliferation, survival, and the production of further inflammatory agents (Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2017). While these pathways are essential for host defense and tissue repair, their chronic or dysregulated activation is a hallmark of autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammatory conditions, and certain cancers. Therapeutic strategies often involve the use of monoclonal antibodies to neutralize specific cytokines or small-molecule inhibitors to block key kinases within these pathways. Because this entry encompasses a wide range of distinct molecular entities and biological processes rather than a single protein or receptor, it is classified as a pathway category rather than a discrete therapeutic target.

Other names

Inflammatory cascadePro-inflammatory signaling pathwaysCytokine signaling network

Modulation of inflammatory responses through the inhibition of specific cytokines, antagonism of cell-surface receptors, or blockade of intracellular signaling kinases such as Janus kinases (JAKs) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs).