====== Inflammatory Regulator ======

An inflammatory [[regulator]] is any [[molecule]], cell, or [[signaling]] [[pathway]] that plays a key role in initiating, amplifying, modulating, or resolving the [[inflammatory response]].

🧬 Types of inflammatory regulators include:
Cytokines: e.g., TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6
→ Promote or inhibit immune cell activation and recruitment.

Transcription factors: e.g., NF-κB, STAT3
→ Control the expression of genes involved in inflammation.

Enzymes: e.g., COX-2, iNOS
→ Mediate production of inflammatory mediators like prostaglandins or nitric oxide.

Cell surface receptors: e.g., TLRs, TNFR, IL receptors
→ Detect pathogens or damage signals and activate downstream cascades.

Intracellular signaling proteins: e.g., SMURF2, MAPKs, MyD88
→ Act as hubs or checkpoints in inflammatory signaling.

Immune cells: e.g., macrophages, microglia, neutrophils, T cells
→ Both sources and targets of inflammatory regulators.

🧠 In neurosurgery:
Inflammatory regulators are highly relevant in:

Traumatic brain and spinal cord injury

Neurovascular disorders (e.g., stroke, aneurysmal SAH)

Neuro-oncology (e.g., glioma microenvironment)

Degenerative diseases (e.g., spinal disc inflammation)

In short:
An inflammatory regulator is any key player that controls the fire of inflammation—either lighting the match, fueling the flames, or helping to put it out.