Role of estrogen in inflammation

The inflammatory response is a vital process that plays a key role in health and disease. The word inflammation can be considered as an umbrella term that encompasses several pathologies. Indeed, in addition to 'typical' inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, colitis, inflammatory bowel disease and asthma, many other pathologies, such as stroke, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis, have an inflammatory component. Thus, inflammation is a common theme in several, apparently distinct pathologies. The inflammatory process is- initiated by a complex series of events, of which pivotal early steps are vascular changes that start immediately and develop during the first few hours. Vascular changes are regulated by factors that control exudation, which occurs mainly from the post-capillary venules. This phase occurs either concomitantly or is followed by association between neutrophils and the endothelium of post-capillary venules, which contributes to a more prolonged phase of increased vascular permeability. The fluid exudate is absorbed into the lymphatics and passes to local lymph glands or lymphoid tissue where an immune reaction can be initiated. Here, we highlight recent findings about the role of oestrogen regulation and its involvement in inflammation.