The endocannabinoid system as the interface between the central nervous system and the immune system

MOLINA-HOLGADO FRANCISCO; ARÉVALO-MARTÍN ÁNGEL; GARCÍA-ARENCIBIA MOISÉS; RUBIO-ARAIZA ANA; GÓMEZ-TORRES ÓSCAR; CORREA FERNANDO; FERNÁNDEZ-RUÍZ JAVIER; GUAZA-RODRÍGUEZ CARMEN; MOLINA-HOLGADO EDUARDO

Neuroimmunology Research Perspectives

Editorial Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Año: 2007; p. 207 - 229

Neuroimmunology is a rapidly-growing branch of biomedical science that studies of all aspects of the interactions between the immune system and nervous system. It deals with, among other things, the physiological functioning of the neuroimmune system in states of both health and disease; malfunctions of the neuroimmune system in disorders (autoimmune diseases, hypersensitivities, immune deficiency), the physical, chemical and physiological characteristics of the components of the neuroimmune system in vitro, in situ, and in vivo. Despite the brain´s status as an immune privileged site, an extensive bi-directional communication takes place between the nervous and the immune system in both health and disease. Immune cells and neuroimmune molecules such as cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors modulate brain function through multiple signaling pathways throughout the lifespan. Immunological, physiological and psychological stressors engage cytokines and other immune molecules as mediators of interactions with neuroendocrine, neuropeptide, and neurotransmitter systems. For example, brain cytokine levels increase following stress exposure, while treatments designed to alleviate stress reverse this effect. This new book presents leading research from around the globe.