Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2026
07:10
In vivo Imaging Method to Distinguish Acute and Chronic Inflammation
Published on: August 16, 2013
The Atlas of Inflammation Resolution (AIR)
Charles N Serhan1, Shailendra K Gupta2, Mauro Perretti3
1Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
Molecular Aspects of Medicine
|September 7, 2020
Summary
The Atlas of Inflammation Resolution (AIR) is a new web resource detailing acute inflammation and its resolution. It aids researchers by mapping complex biological interactions and disease mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Bioinformatics
- Computational Biology
Background:
- Acute inflammation is a critical immune response to pathogens or injury, ideally resolving to restore homeostasis.
- Failure of acute inflammation resolution can lead to chronic inflammatory diseases and organ pathologies.
- The complexity of inflammation necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, integrating various biomedical fields.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a comprehensive, web-based resource on acute inflammation and its resolution.
- To provide a searchable interface for thousands of molecular interactions and disease phenotypes.
- To support research, education, and hypothesis validation in inflammation science.
Main Methods:
- Development of the Atlas of Inflammation Resolution (AIR) as a web-based platform.
- Utilizing the Minerva platform for visualization and exploration of interconnected, multi-layered process diagrams.
- Encoding molecular details using international standards for data interoperability.
Main Results:
- The AIR captures state-of-the-art knowledge in acute inflammation and resolution research.
- It offers a searchable database of thousands of interactions across clinically relevant phenotypes.
- The resource facilitates mapping experimental data to elucidate drug actions and disease mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- The AIR is a freely accessible resource designed to advance research and education in inflammation.
- It serves to connect research communities, aid clinical decision-making, and support hypothesis formulation and validation.
- The platform provides a valuable tool for understanding the molecular basis of inflammatory diseases.
Keywords:
Acute inflammationDisease mapInflammation resolutionInflammatory mediatorsMolecular interaction mapMolecular switchesPro-resolving mediatorsSystems biologyMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:38Inflammation
Overview
01:30Inflammatory Response I: Vascular and Cellular
The inflammatory response is the body's defense against infection, injury, or irritation from bacteria, trauma, toxins, or heat. Inflammation helps locate and destroy pathogens and remove damaged tissue elements to heal the body. During this initial phase, fluid, blood products, and nutrients migrate to the injured area, resulting in redness, heat, swelling, ache, and loss of function. Moreover, signs of systemic inflammation include fever, increased WBC count, malaise, anorexia, nausea,...
01:26Acute Inflammation I: Inflammatory Response
Acute inflammation is a rapid, short-lived physiological response to tissue injury or infection, designed to eliminate harmful agents and initiate repair. This tightly regulated process typically lasts from minutes to several days and is triggered by factors such as microbial invasion, physical trauma, or chemical injury.Recognition and Mediator ReleaseThe inflammatory response begins when resident immune cells—such as mast cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells—detect damage-associated...
01:26Acute Inflammation II: Cellular Phase
The cellular phase of acute inflammation is a tightly orchestrated sequence of events that recruits leukocytes, primarily neutrophils, to sites of tissue injury or infection. Following the initial vascular changes, this phase ensures effective immune cell migration, activation, and function at the affected site to eliminate pathogens and initiate tissue repair.Leukocyte Recruitment CascadeLeukocyte recruitment happens in four steps: margination, adhesion, transmigration, and chemotaxis. Reduced...
01:25Acute Inflammation III: Local and Systemic Effects
Acute inflammation produces a coordinated set of local and systemic changes that limit injury, eliminate pathogens, and initiate repair. These responses arise within minutes of infection, trauma, or chemical insult and are driven by vascular alterations and leukocyte-derived mediators. When the stimulus resolves, the reaction typically abates within days.Local EffectsAt the site of injury, arteriolar vasodilation increases blood flow, resulting in redness and warmth. Simultaneously, increased...
01:12Chronic Inflammation: Introduction
Chronic inflammation is a prolonged, dysregulated immune response that persists for weeks to years when the inciting stimulus is difficult to eradicate or when self‑antigens drive ongoing reactivity. Morphologically, it is defined by mononuclear cell infiltration, progressive tissue destruction, and concurrent attempts at healing via angiogenesis and fibrosis. Compared with acute inflammation, edema is less prominent while cellular infiltration predominates; triggers include persistent...