title: The role of serotonin and its receptors in activation of immune responses and inflammation.
abstract: Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is a neurotransmitter and hormone that contributes to the regulation of various physiological functions by its actions in the central nervous system (CNS) and in the respective organ systems. Peripheral 5-HT is predominantly produced by enterochromaffin (EC) cells of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. These gut-resident cells produce much more 5-HT than all neuronal and other sources combined, establishing EC cells as the main source of this biogenic amine in the human body. Peripheral 5-HT is also a potent immune modulator and affects various immune cells through its receptors and via the recently identified process of serotonylation. Alterations in 5-HT signalling have been described in inflammatory conditions of the gut, such as inflammatory bowel disease. The association between 5-HT and inflammation, however, is not limited to the gut, as changes in 5-HT levels have also been reported in patients with allergic airway inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis. Based on searches for terms such as '5-HT', 'EC cell', 'immune cells' and 'inflammation' in pubmed.gov as well as by utilizing pertinent reviews, the current review aims to provide an update on the role of 5-HT in biological functions with a particular focus on immune activation and inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Shajib
authors.forename: W I
authors.initials: WI
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004759:Enterochromaffin Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D012701:Serotonin
keywords: 5-HT; 5-HT receptors; colitis; immune response; inflammation; serotonin