Learning outcomes

To acquire a basic understanding of inflammation, its different phases, and its cellular and molecular actors

To be able to apply this knowledge to understand high-level scientific publications in these fields

To be able to use scientific publications to analyse a biological question related to inflammation, to summarize the state of the art on this question and communicate the main findings through an oral presentation. 

Goals

The first objective of this course is to provide an overview of the inflammatory process, its main cellular and molecular players, the successive steps occuring during inflammation, the diverse forms of inflammation. It will also connect these elements with the associated intracellular pathways.

The second objective aims to appreciate how the dysregulations can lead to pathological inflammation (including chronic inflammatory disease).

Content

Inflammation is a complex tissue response to aggressions, such as pathogens, tissue damage or irritants. It is a highly organised protective response involving blood vessels, immune cells and molecular mediators. Its function is to eliminate the cause of inflammation, clean up damaged cells and tissues, and initiate tissue repair. The actors and underlying molecular mechanisms of this physiological response will be the subject of the first part of the course. In the second part, guests, mostly clinicians, will discuss inflammatory pathologies involving a deficit in these regulatory mechanisms.

Table of contents

-     Introduction

-     The vascular phase

-     The amplification phase (including a focus on the inflammasome)

-     The resolution phase 

-     Inflammatory diseases (by invited speakers/clinicians, such as inflammatory joint diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, inflammatory pulmonary diseases, neuroinflammation)

Teaching methods

During the first session, students are asked to draw on their prior knowledge to identify signs of inflammation in histological sections. An initial definition of inflammation is built during the session, based on their observations, and then refined based on historical discoveries. 


Subsequent classes will aim to explain the three main phases of inflammation (initiation, amplification and resolution) by highlighting the interactions between cellular actors and inflammatory mediators (pro- and anti-inflammatory). The molecular mechanisms regulating these actors will be emphasised.

The basic concepts are first explained and illustrated with one or more specific examples. The use of high-level scientific publications then highlights how these concepts can be used to explain a particular biological phenomenon.

 

The final sessions are devoted to presentations by external guests, often clinicians, on chronic inflammatory diseases. This highlights the consequences of dysregulation of the mechanisms that control inflammation.

Assessment method

The students will choose a biological question related to the inflammatory process. Using publications, they will study the subject and present a summary of their research to the other students orally (in the language of their choice, followed by questions). The inclusion of some experimental data in their presentation is mandatory The various presentations form part of the course itself. 

Students will be evaluated on their ability to research scientific information, summarise it and present it in an educational and engaging manner.

Sources, references and any support material

The power point files used during the course are available on the Web Campus platform.

Language of instruction

English