The neurology of the immune system: neural reflexes regulate immunity.
Parallel advances in neuroscience and immunology established the anatomical and cellular basis for bidirectional interactions between the nervous and immune systems. Like other physiological systems, the immune system--and the development of immunity--is modulated by neural reflexes. A prototypical example is the inflammatory reflex, comprised of an afferent arm that senses inflammation and an efferent arm, the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, that inhibits innate immune responses. This mechanism is dependent on the alpha7 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, which inhibits NF-kappaB nuclear translocation and suppresses cytokine release by monocytes and macrophages. Here we summarize evidence showing that innate immunity is reflexive. Future advances will come from applying an integrative physiology approach that utilizes methods adapted from neuroscience and immunology.
Laboratory of Biomedical Science, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, North Shore-LIJ Health System, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA.
Mauricio
M
Rosas-Ballina
Kevin J
KJ
Tracey
D000818:Animals; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000276:immunology / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D007109:Immunity; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000276:immunology* / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D008959:Models, Neurological; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology