Question

Many of the extracellular signal molecules that regulate inflammation are released locally at the site of infection. What form of cell–cell signaling is being used?

Answer 1

Answer: Paracrine

Explanation:

Paracrine signaling is a form of cell signaling in which a cell produces a signal that induces changes in nearby cells, altering the behavior or differentiation of those cells. Molecules known as paracrine factors diffuse over relatively short distances (local action), unlike endocrine factors (hormones that travel considerable distances over the circulatory system), juxtacrine interactions, and autocrine signaling.

Cells that produce paracrine factors secrete them into their immediate extracellular environment. These factors then travel to nearby cells where the gradient of the factor received determines the outcome. However, the exact distance a paracrine factor can travel is not known with certainty. Paracrine signaling is a form of cell signaling in which a cell produces a signal that induces changes in nearby cells, altering the behavior or differentiation of those cells. Molecules known as paracrine factors diffuse over relatively short distances, unlike endocrine factors (hormones that travel considerable distances over the circulatory system), juxtacrine interactions, and autocrine signaling.

Cells that produce paracrine factors secrete them into their immediate extracellular environment. These factors then travel to nearby cells where the gradient of the factor received determines the outcome. However, the exact distance a paracrine factor can travel is not known with certainty.

In the case of infection, cells of the innate immune system secrete different cytokines into their immediate extracellular environment that attract other immune system cells such as neutrophils and lymphocytes, to fight the infection.