The immune-neuroendocrine homeostatic network and aging

Abstract

A unified model of immune and neuroendocrine aging is proposed. In doing so, the idea of an immune-neuroendocrine homeostatic network in higher animals is introduced. Next the concepts of homeorrhesis (moving homeostasis), developmental program and their relation to systemic aging are discussed. Finally, the experimental evidence supporting the view that immune and neuroendocrine aging are interdependent processes is briefly reviewed. This evidence makes it clear that organismal aging can no longer be described in terms of purely neuroendocrine or immunologic models. It is hoped that the idea of an immune-neuroendocrine homeostatic network will provide a conceptual frame of reference where the growing body of experimental data regarding immune-neuroendocrine interactions during aging can be naturally accommodated.