Several key players are involved in inflammatory pathways. These include:
1. Cytokines: Small proteins like IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β that facilitate communication between cells during immune responses. 2. Chemokines: A subset of cytokines that specifically induce chemotaxis in nearby responsive cells. 3. Transcription factors: Such as NF-κB and AP-1, which regulate the expression of genes involved in inflammation. 4. Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Molecules that can cause oxidative stress and activate inflammatory signaling pathways.
