title: Interactions of orphanin FQ/nociceptin (OFQ/N) system with immune system factors and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Brain-immune system interactions and neurohormonal changes which are induced by psychophysiological factors are growing areas of scientific interest. Central (CNS) and autonomic nervous-endocrine-immune system pathways are connected with a number of behavioral and physiological factors which may be linked to disease susceptibility and progression.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this paper, influence of orphanin FQ/nociceptin receptor (OFQ/N) on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and their influence on the immunological system was reviewed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The neuroendocrine system, in particular the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, is closely connected with the cytokines. HPA axis activation by cytokines, via the release of glucocorticoids has, in turn, been found to play a critical role in restraining and shaping immune responses. Investigation of the OFQ/N system and G-proteins suggests a role for this receptor as a down-regulator of cytokine, chemokine and chemokine receptor expression.
authors.affiliation: Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Warszawa, Poland. Electronic address: pbodera@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Paweł
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bodera
authors.affiliation: Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Warszawa, Poland.
authors.forename: Wanda
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Stankiewicz
authors.affiliation: Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Warszawa, Poland.
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kocik
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology*; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology; D018847:Opioid Peptides / Q000502:physiology*; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000502:physiology*; D000097629:Nociceptin
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018847:Opioid Peptides; D000097629:Nociceptin
keywords: Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal; Nociceptin/orphanin