In this video, we're going to talk briefly about the second step in the inflammatory response, which is the release of the inflammatory mediators and other cytokines. In response to a microbe invasion or tissue damage, local mast cells, which are very similar to basophils but reside in the tissues, are going to release cytokines and inflammatory mediators. These mast cells are already residing within the tissues, as you can see here in this image. They will begin to release cytokines and inflammatory mediators upon an infection. Inflammatory mediators really refer to messenger molecules that are specifically involved in the inflammatory response. For example, histamine is an example of an inflammatory mediator. The release of histamine will promote inflammation.

The release of inflammatory mediators will help to regulate changes in local blood vessels, potentially causing the local blood vessels to dilate, as we'll talk about in the next step. It will also signal immune system cells from the blood to the infected site, attracting immune system cells to the area of infection. If we take a look at this image down below, we're focusing on the second step of the inflammatory response, with inflammatory mediators and cytokines being released. Once again, these mast cells that are present in the tissues and reside in the tissues will begin to release cytokines and inflammatory mediators. These cytokines and inflammatory mediators will cause changes to the local blood vessels and also signal immune system cells to travel from the blood vessels to the area of infection to help eliminate the microbes.

This here concludes our brief lesson on the second step of the inflammatory response, and we'll be able to talk about the 3rd and the 4th steps of the inflammatory response as we continue to move forward. So I'll see you in our next lesson video.