Neuroendocrine immune responses to inflammation: the concept of the neuroendocrine immune loop.
The neuroendocrine and immune responses to inflammatory stress represents an integrated circuit whose basis is reviewed in this chapter. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha and IL-6 released from inflammatory foci initiate local anti-inflammatory mechanisms and travel via the blood stream to the brain where they trigger a variety of neuroendocrine counter-regulatory mechanisms. There is therefore an important neuroendocrine-immune loop in which stimulatory signals are received by the neural systems from inflammatory foci. These signals are transduced by the hypothalamus which initiates a complex hormonal cascade reaction aimed at modulating inflammation and returning the organism to normal physiological homeostasis once the trigger has been neutralized. Abnormalities in this cross-talk can profoundly influence the susceptibility to developing chronic inflammatory disease. Thus, in conclusion, the neuroendocrine-immune loop has important pathophysiological implications for disease processes.
Chikanza
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IC
Department of Rheumatology, Royal London Hospital, UK.
Grossman
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AB
D000210:Acute-Phase Reaction / Q000209:etiology; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000276:immunology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology