While not meant to be an extensive list, here's the low-down on how inflammation contributes to some major diseases.
In Cardiometabolic Disease, the role of inflammation in the early-stage pathophysiology of arterial blood clots has been recognised for over two decades. The flood of white blood cells into damaged arteries initiates a cascade of events that propagates atherosclerosis. Rupture plaques in turn cause an inflammatory response, which leads to further clots inside the blood vessels.
In Diabetes, fatty tissue enlargement is associated with immune cell infiltration, in particular that of macrophages and T cells. These cells release a host of pro-inflammatory chemicals that impede the insulin signalling cascade, leading to insulin resistance. This ultimately leads to a dysregulation of glucose and lipid metabolism in fatty tissue, skeletal muscle and liver.
In Arthritis (OA), inflammation-mediated joint pain is a major cause of morbidity in society.