Neurogenic Inflammation and the Peripheral Nervous System in Host Defense and Immunopathology

Overview

Journal Nat Neurosci

Date 2012 Jul 28

PMID 22837035

Citations 301

Authors

Isaac M Chiu

Christian A von Hehn

Clifford J Woolf

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The peripheral nervous and immune systems are traditionally thought of as serving separate functions. The line between them is, however, becoming increasingly blurred by new insights into neurogenic inflammation. Nociceptor neurons possess many of the same molecular recognition pathways for danger as immune cells, and, in response to danger, the peripheral nervous system directly communicates with the immune system, forming an integrated protective mechanism. The dense innervation network of sensory and autonomic fibers in peripheral tissues and high speed of neural transduction allows rapid local and systemic neurogenic modulation of immunity. Peripheral neurons also seem to contribute to immune dysfunction in autoimmune and allergic diseases. Therefore, understanding the coordinated interaction of peripheral neurons with immune cells may advance therapeutic approaches to increase host defense and suppress immunopathology.

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