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. 2008 Apr 29:2:35-44.
doi: 10.4137/ccrpm.s547.

Neuroimmune interaction in inflammatory diseases

Peyman Otmishi  1 , Joshiah Gordon, Seraj El-Oshar, Huafeng Li, Juan Guardiola, Mohamed Saad, Mary Proctor, Jerry Yu
Affiliations

Neuroimmune interaction in inflammatory diseases

Peyman Otmishi et al. Clin Med Circ Respirat Pulm Med. .

Abstract

The inflammatory response is modulated through interactions among the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. Intercommunication between immune cells and the autonomic nervous system is a growing area of interest. Spatial and temporal information about inflammatory processes is relayed to the central nervous system (CNS) where neuroimmune modulation serves to control the extent and intensity of the inflammation. Over the past few decades, research has revealed various routes by which the nervous system and the immune system communicate. The CNS regulates the immune system via hormonal and neuronal pathways, including the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. The immune system signals the CNS through cytokines that act both centrally and peripherally. This review aims to introduce the concept of neuroimmune interaction and discuss its potential clinical application, in an attempt to broaden the awareness of this rapidly evolving area and open up new avenues that may aid in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Keywords: autonomic nervous system; immune; inflammation; sensory nerve; vagus nerve.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Illustration of a neuroimmune interaction. Inflammatory mediators and cytokines may activate vagal afferents, causing a ‘reflex’ via NTS to trigger neural circuitry and finally through vagal efferents to inhibit inflammatory cells to release inflammatory agents. The large, bold, blue arrows indicate initiation of the reflex pathway, while the thin, blue arrows denote a direct stimulatory effect; the red arrow indicates an inhibitory effect. Involvement of inter-neurons is indicated by two-arrow connections. LPS and high levels of cytokines and mediators may influence the higher brain centers via the CVO. Abbreviations: Ach: Acytylcholine; CVO: Circumventricular Organ; Hypotha: hypothalamus; Inflam. cells: inflammatory cells; NA: Nucleus Ambiguous; NTS: Nucleus Tractus Solitarus; LPS: Lipopolysacharide; VMN: Vagal Motor Nucleus.
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