Which cells are primarily involved in chronic inflammation?

• A. Neutrophils
• B. Lymphocytes and macrophages
• C. Eosinophils
• D. Fibroblasts

Answer: (B)

Chronic inflammation is characterized by the presence of specific immune cells that contribute to ongoing tissue damage and repair. Lymphocytes and macrophages play a central role in this process.

Lymphocytes, including T cells and B cells, are essential for the adaptive immune response. They can mediate various functions such as cytokine production, which modulates the activity of other immune cells, and providing direct cytotoxic effects on infected or cancerous cells. Macrophages, on the other hand, are derived from monocytes and are multifunctional cells that participate in phagocytosis, antigen presentation, and the release of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Together, these cells contribute to the persistence of inflammation and the formation of granulomas in chronic inflammatory conditions.

In contrast, neutrophils, while important in acute inflammation for their role in rapidly responding to infections and clearing pathogens, are typically not predominant in chronic inflammation. Eosinophils are primarily involved in allergic reactions and parasitic infections rather than chronic inflammation as a general process. Fibroblasts, while they play a crucial role in tissue repair and fibrosis during chronic inflammation, are not primarily responsible for the immune components of chronic inflammation itself. Their role is more about the structural aspect of