Immunity and the endocrine system.
In conclusion, interaction between the immune and endocrine systems is highly complex. Generally, abnormalities of T suppressor cells, a result of HLA antigen genetic abnormalities, result in autoimmunity that causes endocrine gland destruction and hormone deficiency, as seen in lymphocytic thyroiditis of dogs, type I DM, hypoparathyroidism, hypoadrenocorticism, and APS. On the other hand, endocrine deficiency (hypothyroidism, DM) or excess (hyperadrenocorticism) states may cause abnormalities of cell-mediated and antibody-associated immunity, leading to susceptibility to a variety of viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. It is hoped that this article sheds some light on the complex and highly integrated endocrine-immune interactions.
Greco
D S
DS
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
Harpold
L M
LM
D000309:Adrenal Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D000308:Adrenocortical Hyperfunction / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D002415:Cats; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D004285:Dogs; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007011:Hypoparathyroidism / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D016884:Polyendocrinopathies, Autoimmune / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology