American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) Dental Hygiene Licensing Examination

In the context of chronic inflammation, macrophages serve as a key component. They are versatile immune cells that not only help to initiate the inflammatory process but also play a crucial role in sustaining it. Macrophages can phagocytize pathogens and dead cells, present antigens to T cells, and secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines that perpetuate the inflammatory response. Specifically, they are involved in both the acute and chronic phases of inflammation, making them fundamental to the persistent inflammatory process that characterizes chronic inflammation. While polymorphonuclear leukocytes (like neutrophils) are associated with acute inflammation due to their rapid response to infection, their presence in chronic inflammation is typically not as prominent. Instead, the chronic phase is more characterized by macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells. Epithelial cells, while important for barrier functions and local immune responses, are not primarily involved in the inflammatory response itself in the context of chronic inflammation. Similarly, fibroblasts contribute to tissue remodeling and repair and are often found in the context of scar formation, but they don't play a central role in the initial inflammatory process. Thus, macrophages are recognized as the main cell component associated with chronic inflammation, given their critical roles in both maintaining and regulating