Dysregulation of inflammation and immune responses can lead to a variety of acute and chronic diseases. These conditions may result from excessive inflammation, insufficient immune activity, or inappropriate immune activation against self-tissues.
| Disease / Disorder | Role of Inflammation / Immunity in Pathogenesis | Notes / Evidence |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) | Chronic autoimmune inflammation of synovial joints; immune cells attack joint lining causing swelling, pain, and cartilage/bone destruction. | High TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6 levels; biologics targeting these cytokines improve symptoms. |
| Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) | Autoimmune disease with widespread inflammation affecting skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and other organs. | Production of autoantibodies and immune complex deposition drive pathology. |
| Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD: Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative colitis) | Chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract due to dysregulated immune responses to gut microbiota. | Involves Th1, Th17, and abnormal regulatory T cell function. |
| Asthma | Chronic airway inflammation leading to hyperresponsiveness and reversible airflow obstruction. | Eosinophils, mast cells, and Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) play key roles. |
| Multiple Sclerosis (MS) | Autoimmune inflammation targeting myelin in the central nervous system. | T cells and macrophages drive demyelination and neurodegeneration. |
| Psoriasis | Chronic autoimmune skin disorder with excessive keratinocyte proliferation driven by inflammatory cytokines. | IL-23/Th17 axis is central to pathology. |
| Sepsis | Life-threatening systemic inflammatory response to infection leading to organ dysfunction. | Excessive pro-inflammatory cytokine storm followed by possible immune suppression. |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) | Chronic inflammation in the lungs due to long-term exposure to irritants (e.g., smoking). | Neutrophil and macrophage infiltration drives airway remodeling. |
| Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus | Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells leading to insulin deficiency. | CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines mediate beta-cell death. |
| Atherosclerosis | Chronic vascular inflammation leading to plaque formation and cardiovascular disease. | Inflammatory cytokines and immune cell infiltration drive plaque instability. |