CIBICI   14215
CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION EN BIOQUIMICA CLINICA E INMUNOLOGIA
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
capítulos de libros
Título:
Cytokines and the Immune Neuroendocrine Network
Autor/es:
CORREA SG, SOTOMAYOR CE, RODRÍGUEZ-GALÁN MC
Libro:
Neuroimmune Biology
Editorial:
Elsevier
Referencias:
Lugar: Great Britain; Año: 2010; p. 79 - 90
Resumen:
Abstract   Cytokines are a diverse group of glycopeptides rapidly produced by immune cells that regulate cell mediated and humoral immunity. The immune system communicates with the central nervous system (CNS) through the production of cytokines which participate in the regulation of the physiological rhythms. This seems critical for tuning the synapse between antigen-presenting cells and lymphocytes and could globally increase the efficacy of immune responses. Cytokines are typically small molecules that reach the brain through several mechanisms: the brain-cytokine communication involves a rapid flux of afferent neural pathways that sensitizes certain brain structures, and the action of cytokines or second messengers that propagate slowly well beyond the parenchyma of surrounding blood vessels. Inside the brain, the neuron and glial network not only expresses cytokine receptors but also produces cytokines, amplifying peripheral signals and mirroring the innate immune response activation. Cytokines trigger the subjective, behavioral and metabolic components of the sickness response that allows the organism to cope with infectious microorganisms. Mainly, behavioral changes are associated with alterations in the metabolism of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine in brain regions essential for the regulation of emotion, including the limbic system, as well as the regulation of psychomotor function and reward. Moreover, cytokines produced in the healthy CNS could contribute to brain physiology by controlling neuronal activity, affecting homeostatic mechanisms and modulating intrinsic functions of the brain such as memory and learning.