Inflammation is one of the body’s most important defenses against disease and injury. It helps the immune system identify threats, fight infections and begin the process of healing. But when inflammation becomes excessive, prolonged or poorly regulated, it can also contribute to disease. 

Understanding inflammation is therefore an important part of understanding human health. 

At the Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed) in San Antonio, scientists study inflammation as part of a broader effort to understand how the immune system responds to infectious diseases and other health conditions. Their research explores the complex interactions between pathogens and the body’s immune system, with the goal of helping develop better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat disease. 

What is inflammation? 

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to something it perceives as harmful, such as an infection, injury or other threat. 

When the immune system detects a problem, it sends immune cells and signaling molecules to the affected area. This response can cause familiar signs of inflammation, including redness, swelling, warmth and pain. 

Although inflammation can sometimes be uncomfortable, it serves an important purpose: it helps the body respond to threats and begin repairing damaged tissue. 

The challenge is keeping the response appropriately regulated. 

Is inflammation good or bad? 

Inflammation itself is not inherently good or bad. It depends on the circumstances. 

Acute inflammation is generally a short-term response. For example, when the body detects an infection, the immune system can activate inflammation to help fight the invading pathogen. 

Chronic inflammation occurs when inflammatory activity persists over a longer period. Prolonged inflammation can damage tissues and is associated with a number of chronic health conditions. 

This distinction is one reason inflammation is such an important area of biomedical research: scientists want to understand not only how the immune system responds, but also what determines whether that response helps the body recover or contributes to disease. 

How are inflammation and infectious disease connected? 

The immune response is central to the body’s ability to fight infectious diseases. 

When a virus, bacterium or other pathogen enters the body, the immune system must recognize the threat and mount an appropriate response. Inflammation is part of that response. 

But infectious diseases can also create a complicated biological balancing act. A response that is too weak may allow a pathogen to spread. A response that is too strong or prolonged can contribute to tissue damage. 

Researchers therefore study the interactions between pathogens and the immune system to better understand what happens during infection and why some individuals experience more severe disease than others. 

This area of research is particularly important at Texas Biomed, where scientists study infectious diseases including tuberculosis, HIV, emerging infectious diseases and hemorrhagic fever viruses. The Institute identifies inflammation as one of its major research areas and combines expertise in immunology, infectious disease, genetics and other fields. 

How does Texas Biomed study inflammation? 

Texas Biomed’s research into inflammation spans multiple areas of biomedical science. 

One important approach is studying host-pathogen interactions — what happens when a pathogen encounters the cells and immune defenses of its host. 

The Institute’s strategic planning has identified host-pathogen interactions as a central area of research, including the molecular processes involved in infection and the immune response. Researchers also investigate population-level differences in susceptibility to disease and inflammatory and immune-system disorders. 

Texas Biomed’s specialized research resources allow scientists to study these questions using a range of approaches, including genetics, immunology, computational science and preclinical models. 

For example, researchers at the Southwest National Primate Research Center have studied immune responses and inflammatory processes in nonhuman primates. Previous Texas Biomed research has examined cytokines — signaling molecules that help regulate communication within the immune system — and how inflammation can affect disease processes. 

Why study inflammation in infectious diseases? 

Studying inflammation can help scientists answer a critical question: 

Why does the same infection affect different people in different ways? 

Some people may experience mild illness while others develop severe disease. Differences in immune responses, genetics, underlying health and other factors can all influence what happens after infection. 

By studying these biological differences, researchers can identify potential targets for new treatments and strategies to prevent severe disease. 

This is especially important for emerging infectious diseases, where scientists may need to understand both the pathogen and the body’s response to it in order to develop effective medical countermeasures. 

“Infectious disease is a crucial part of chronic-disease research,” said Dr. Larry Schlesinger, President and CEO at Texas Biomedical Research Institute. “Prioritizing chronic conditions increasingly means prioritizing infectious diseases.”

What does inflammation have to do with aging? 

Inflammation is also increasingly important to research on aging. 

As people age, changes in immune function can influence how the body responds to infections and other challenges. Understanding those changes may help scientists better understand why susceptibility to certain diseases increases with age and how the immune system changes over the course of a lifetime. 

Texas Biomed’s research portfolio brings together aging, inflammation and infectious disease research, reflecting the interconnected nature of these biological processes. The Institute lists both aging and inflammation among its major study areas. 

Can studying inflammation lead to new treatments? 

Potentially, yes. 

Scientists can study inflammatory pathways to identify biological processes that could be targeted with therapies. Research can also help determine when modifying an immune response might be beneficial — for example, reducing harmful inflammation while preserving the body’s ability to fight an infection. 

At Texas Biomed, researchers conduct basic and translational research designed to improve understanding of disease and help move discoveries toward diagnostics, treatments and vaccines. The Institute’s Applied Science and Innovation team works with industry, government, military, nonprofit and academic partners on preclinical research and development. 

Why inflammation research matters 

Inflammation may seem like a simple concept — the body’s response to injury or infection — but scientists are still learning how complex and interconnected the process really is. 

Inflammation sits at the intersection of the immune system, infectious disease, genetics, aging and many other aspects of human health. 

At Texas Biomed, researchers are working to understand those connections. By studying how the body responds to disease, as well as how pathogens interact with their hosts, scientists hope to uncover new insights that can ultimately lead to better ways to prevent and treat illness. 

The more we understand inflammation, the more we can understand disease — and the better positioned we are to develop strategies that improve human health. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Inflammation 

What is inflammation? 

Inflammation is the body’s immune response to infection, injury or another perceived threat. It helps protect the body and initiate healing. 

Is inflammation always harmful? 

No. Short-term inflammation is an important part of the body’s normal immune response. Problems can arise when inflammation is excessive, prolonged or poorly regulated. 

What is chronic inflammation? 

Chronic inflammation is prolonged inflammatory activity that can contribute to tissue damage and is associated with a range of chronic diseases. 

Why do scientists study inflammation? 

Understanding inflammation can help researchers learn how the immune system responds to infection and disease and may reveal potential targets for new treatments. 

Does Texas Biomed conduct inflammation research? 

Yes. Inflammation is one of Texas Biomed’s identified research areas. Scientists study inflammation and immune responses in connection with infectious diseases, aging and other aspects of human health. 

How is inflammation connected to infectious disease? 

Inflammation is part of the immune response to infection. Researchers study how pathogens trigger immune responses and how those responses can influence the severity and progression of disease. 

Where is Texas Biomed located? 

Texas Biomedical Research Institute is located in San Antonio, Texas, where scientists conduct basic and translational biomedical research focused on improving human health.