History of Neuroimmunomoendocrinology

MCCANN SM; DE LAURENTIIS A; RETTORI V; BORNSTEIN SR

Madrid, España

Congreso; 2º IberoAmerican Congress on Neuroimmunomodulation; 2007

Neuroimmunomodulation International Society

The interaction between nervous, immune and endocrine systems was suggested for the first time in 1936 by Hans Selye when he observed the adrenal hypertrophy and thymus involution in stressed animals. In 1989, Edwin Blalock introduced the concept of bidirectional communication between endocrine and immune systems. His studies suggested that the immune system recognizes an infectious stimuli and produces a cytokines cascade that acts on its receptors on the neuroendocrine system modifying hormonal secretion. On the other hand, psychological and physical stimuli induce the secretion of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides that act on receptors on the immune system altering its functions. The cytokines could be produced also by cells of the central nervous system such as astrocytes, glia and even neurons and act as a link between immune and neuroendocrine systems (Hugo Besedovsky). Also the immune cells can produce hormones such as ACTH, prolactin and GH. We demonstrated that other signals such as nitric oxide produced in neurons and immune cells can act as neurotransmitters that modify neuropeptides and hormone release. The importance of bilateral communication between immune system and hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenal (Stefan R. Bornstein) and gonadal (Samuel M. McCann) axis is based on the fact that produces a coordinated response of the organism to pathogens and stress and warrants the survival and evolution of the species.