Neuroimmune interactions.

BESUHLI DE RETTORI V

EXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY.

Año: 2007 p. 799 - 800

0958-0670

The articles presented here summarize information regarding the integration between the Immune, Endocrine and Central Nervous Systems. This interaction was discovered by Hans Selye in the 1930s. During the last decade the importance of neuroimmune regulation has been recognized, and this recognition has stimulated research in this area. This interaction assures that immune and neuroendocrine responses are in harmony with other physiological functions, in order to maintain homeostasis and health. Neuroimmune interactions provide host defense against infection, injury, cancer, and also psychiatric disorders. Neuroimmunoregulation also contributes to intestinal physiology, secretory immune function, conception and the transfer of immunity to offsprings. It also affects sleep and recovery from diseases. During acute illness these interactions are responsible for the profound neuroendocrine and metabolic changes that play a key role in health recovery. The “cross-talk” between the neuroendocrine and immune systems is accepted. This crosstalk involves common ligands and receptors being used by both systems, allowing a physiological communication circuitry to play a relevant role in homeostasis. The invited articles of this thematic symposium provide a review of current investigations regarding this crosstalk, in particular, the neuroimmunendocrine interactions in health and disease. The articles cover different investigative approaches using high-throughout technologies such as molecular induction or repression of gene transcription, genome wide scan, genotyping, microarray expression, proteomics and metabolomics.