Inflammation

Inflammation is the biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells or irritants. One of the major intracellular regulators of inflammation is the transcription factor NF-κB which upregulates the expression of cytokines and adhesion molecules. Chronic inflammation can lead to various diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, autoimmune disorders and cancer. Systemic inflammation is not confined to a particular tissue, but involves the endothelium and other organ systems. High levels of inflammation-related markers such as IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α are associated with obesity.