Inflammation is a critical element of several chronic diseases of the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Many of these disorders are slowly disabling or fatal, and account for many deaths among adults in industrialized countries. DMM 2006 will highlight recent advances in the molecular pathology of chronic inflammatory diseases, including the role of the innate and adaptive immune systems, chemical mediators, signal transduction pathways and genetic predisposition. In addition, special emphasis will be placed on emerging therapeutic strategies and avenues for therapeutic interventions.