Neuroimmune System
Encyclopedia
By definition the neuroimmune system is composed of the immune system
and those components of the nervous system
that modulate immune response. In practice, the neuroimmune system also includes hormonal signals and cytokine
s that participate in signalling between the immune and nervous systems.
for the structure the immune system.
The key components of the nervous system that interact with the immune system are:
The key components of the endocrine system that interact with the immune system are:
Cytokine signaling between the nervous system and immune system is provided by:
There is growing evidence that auto-immune T-cells are involved in neurogenesis. Studies have shown that during times of adaptive immune system response, hyppocampal neurogenesis is increased, and conversely that auto-immune T-cells and microglia are important for neurogenesis (and so memory and learning) in healthy adultshttp://www.nature.com/neuro/journal/v9/n2/abs/nn1629.html.
Immune system
An immune system is a system of biological structures and processes within an organism that protects against disease by identifying and killing pathogens and tumor cells. It detects a wide variety of agents, from viruses to parasitic worms, and needs to distinguish them from the organism's own...
and those components of the nervous system
Nervous system
The nervous system is an organ system containing a network of specialized cells called neurons that coordinate the actions of an animal and transmit signals between different parts of its body. In most animals the nervous system consists of two parts, central and peripheral. The central nervous...
that modulate immune response. In practice, the neuroimmune system also includes hormonal signals and cytokine
Cytokine
Cytokines are small cell-signaling protein molecules that are secreted by the glial cells of the nervous system and by numerous cells of the immune system and are a category of signaling molecules used extensively in intercellular communication...
s that participate in signalling between the immune and nervous systems.
Structure
See the article on the immune systemImmune system
An immune system is a system of biological structures and processes within an organism that protects against disease by identifying and killing pathogens and tumor cells. It detects a wide variety of agents, from viruses to parasitic worms, and needs to distinguish them from the organism's own...
for the structure the immune system.
The key components of the nervous system that interact with the immune system are:
- HypothalamusHypothalamusThe Hypothalamus is a portion of the brain that contains a number of small nuclei with a variety of functions...
- Pituitary glandPituitary glandIn vertebrate anatomy the pituitary gland, or hypophysis, is an endocrine gland about the size of a pea and weighing 0.5 g , in humans. It is a protrusion off the bottom of the hypothalamus at the base of the brain, and rests in a small, bony cavity covered by a dural fold...
- Vagus nerveVagus nerveThe vagus nerve , also called pneumogastric nerve or cranial nerve X, is the tenth of twelve paired cranial nerves...
The key components of the endocrine system that interact with the immune system are:
- Adrenals
Signals
Hormonal signaling between the nervous system and immune system is provided by:- CorticosteroidCorticosteroidCorticosteroids are a class of steroid hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex. Corticosteroids are involved in a wide range of physiologic systems such as stress response, immune response and regulation of inflammation, carbohydrate metabolism, protein catabolism, blood electrolyte...
s
Cytokine signaling between the nervous system and immune system is provided by:
- Opioids
Overview of neuro-immune interactions
Cytokines regulate immune responses, possibly through activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.There is growing evidence that auto-immune T-cells are involved in neurogenesis. Studies have shown that during times of adaptive immune system response, hyppocampal neurogenesis is increased, and conversely that auto-immune T-cells and microglia are important for neurogenesis (and so memory and learning) in healthy adultshttp://www.nature.com/neuro/journal/v9/n2/abs/nn1629.html.