proinflammatorische

Proinflammatorische is an adjective used in biomedical and German-language scientific literature to describe factors, signals, or processes that promote inflammation. Inflammation is a protective biological response to infection, injury, or stress, aimed at eliminating threats and initiating tissue repair. Proinflammatory agents help recruit immune cells, increase blood flow, and amplify local signaling to coordinate defense.

Typical proinflammatory mediators include cytokines such as TNF-α, interleukins like IL-1β and IL-6, chemokines, prostaglandins (for example PGE2), leukotrienes, and nitric oxide. These molecules act through signaling pathways such as NF-κB and MAPK to induce the expression of inflammatory genes and to sustain the response. In contrast, anti-inflammatory mediators (for example IL-10, TGF-β) and specialized pro-resolving mediators help terminate inflammation and promote resolution.

The proinflammatory state can be beneficial in acute infections or injury, but when it is excessive or prolonged it contributes to tissue damage and to chronic inflammatory diseases. Chronic proinflammatory conditions are linked to autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease), metabolic disorders (including obesity and type 2 diabetes), and cardiovascular risk.

In research and clinical contexts, proinflammatory activity is often assessed by measuring cytokine levels, gene expression, or imaging markers of inflammation. Treatments that reduce proinflammatory signaling include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and targeted biologics that inhibit specific cytokines or pathways. The term emphasizes a drive toward an inflammatory state and is commonly used in German-language science, with English equivalents typically rendered as proinflammatory.