Which cells are not typically involved in the inflammatory response?

The correct answer highlights cardiomyocytes as cells not typically involved in the inflammatory response. Cardiomyocytes are the heart muscle cells responsible for contracting and pumping blood throughout the body. While they play a crucial role in maintaining heart function, they are not immune cells and do not participate directly in the inflammatory response.

In contrast, natural killer cells, eosinophils, and mast cells are all integral components of the immune system. Natural killer cells are involved in the destruction of virally infected cells and tumor cells, eosinophils participate in the response to parasitic infections and allergic reactions, and mast cells release histamine and other mediators that promote inflammation and allergy responses. Thus, they play active roles in inflammation, whereas cardiomyocytes are primarily focused on their role in cardiac function rather than immune responses.