A new theory on the common evolutionary origin of natural immunity, inflammation and stress response: the invertebrate phagocytic immunocyte as an eye-witness.
Data in favor of the hypothesis of the common evolutionary origin of natural immunity inflammation and stress response are presented. These phenomena seem to be mediated by a common pool of molecules (POMC-derived peptides, cytokines, biogenic amines, glucocorticoids, and nitric oxide). Macrophages are able to release all the above mentioned molecules. They play a primary role in defence mechanisms. Thus, we argue that this cell can be considered the eye-witness of the common evolutionary origin of the immune and neuroendocrine systems.
General Pathology Section, University of Modena, Italy.
E
E
Ottaviani
C
C
Franceschi
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000502:physiology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation / Q000502:physiology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000378:metabolism; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D016207:Cytokines; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin