Inflammation is a delicately balanced response to a stress stimulus.  Though necessary for the healing process, it must be tightly controlled—too little and the stressor would not be eliminated, too much and the damage is made worse.  Inflammation is controlled by a complex system of pro- and anti-inflammatory signaling pathways.

RGD has recently released several interactive pathway diagrams for pathways within and/or important for the anti-inflammatory hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, as well as one for the potent pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 whose signaling activates Nf-kappaB and MAPK cascades.  Select from the choices below to begin exploring a few elements of this complex system.

corticotropin-releasing hormone signaling pathway		melanocortin system pathway
Activation of the HPA axis triggers the release of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) whose signaling via G-protein coupled receptors leads to activation of the protein kinase A (PKA) pathway and expression of the POMC gene. Click here to explore the details of this important pathway.		Melanocortin peptides generated from processing of the POMC gene product set in motion the melanocortin receptors. Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) is the sole ligand of receptor type 2 and the signaling pathway(s) set in motion culminate with the release of the glucocorticoid cortisol steroid hormone.  Click here to explore the complex features of melanocortin system signaling.
cortisol signaling pathway		interleukin 1 signaling pathway
Cortisol signaling plays important roles in many aspects of cellular and tissue physiology, is a potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agent and provides a negative regulatory feedback loop to the HPA axis.  Click here to explore the pathway involving this steroid hormone and its receptor.		Interleukin-1 signaling plays important roles in innate and adaptive immunity and is subject to tight control. The signaling initiated by this potent cytokine activates Nf-kappaB and MAPK cascades. Click here to explore this complex signaling system.