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Nature 420, 845 (19 December 2002) | doi:10.1038/nature01319

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foreword Inflammation

Ursula Weiss1

Inflammation is the response of an organism's immune system to the damage caused to its cells and vascularized tissues by microbial pathogens such as viruses and bacteria, as well as by injurious chemicals or physical insults.Although painful, inflammation is usually a healing response.