The neuroendocrine control of the innate immune system in health and brain diseases.
The innate immune reaction takes place in the brain during immunogenic challenges, injury, and disease. Such a response is highly regulated by numerous anti-inflammatory mechanisms that may directly affect the ultimate consequences of such a reaction within the cerebral environment. The neuroendocrine control of this innate immune system by glucocorticoids is critical for the delicate balance between cell survival and damage in the presence of inflammatory mediators. Glucocorticoids play key roles in regulating the expression of inflammatory genes, and they also have the ability to modulate numerous functions that may ultimately lead to brain damage or repair after injury. Here we review these mechanisms and discuss data supporting both neuroprotective and detrimental roles of the neuroendocrine control of innate immunity.
Laboratory of Endocrinology and Genomics, CHUQ Research Center and Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, Canada.
Marc-André
MA
Bellavance
Serge
S
Rivest
D000818:Animals; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D017628:Microglia / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
D005938:Glucocorticoids