A female patient with a recent diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been told that this is an autoimmune disease whereby the immune system is attacking the body's cells and tissues. She knows that she has inflammation and tissue damage. She asks her nurse to explain "What cells in the body are triggering this inflammation?" The nurse responds that
A) mainly the adrenocorticoids like cortisone are responsible for all your inflammation.
B) mineralocorticoids like aldosterone usually begin the process of inflammation.
C) the lymphocytes that migrate to the brain, where they secrete cytokines, which trigger inflammation.
D) primarily, this acute stress reaction is associated with stimulation of the autonomic nervous system that causes stiffness in the joints.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Immune cells such as monocytes and lymphocytes can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and take up residence in the brain, where they secrete chemical messengers called cytokines that influence the stress response. This triggers inflammation.

A Female Patient with a Recent Diagnosis of Systemic Lupus