The syntax of immune-neuroendocrine communication

Blalock, J. Edwin

doi:10.1016/0167-5699(94)90205-4

Cited by 673 publications

(324 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…However, it is possible that measurement error attenuated the relationship between neuroendocrine and immunologic parameters (especially in the case ofnorepinephrine). Moreover, several neuroendocrine parameters (ACTH, {3-endorphin, and thyroid hormones) that relate to both clinical depression and immunity could be involved in this process and were not assessed here (12,(18)(19)(20)46). Finally, our findings do not rule out the possibility that neuroendocrine dysregulation is responsible for the alterations in cellmediated immunity that have been observed in more severely depressed populations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 39%

“…Clinical depression can be accompanied by dysregulation of the HP A axis, the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary axis, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis (18,19). Receptors for the hormonal products of these systems have been id~ntified on lymphocytes, and ligation of those receptors induces changes in lymphocyte function (20)(21)(22). An alternative hypothesis is that health practices are responsible for immunologic differences.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pathways Linking Major Depression and Immunity in Ambulatory Female Patients

Miller

Cohen

Herbert

1999

Psychosomatic Medicine

124

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Objectives: The goals of this study were to investigate whether depression is associated with cellular immunity in ambulatory patients and to identify neuroendocrine and behavioral pathways that might account for this relationship. Methods: We studied 32 women who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, fourth edition, criteria for major depressive disorder and 32 healthy female control subjects. The groups were matched for age and ethnicity. None were taking medication, and all were free of disease involving the immune system. Results: Depressed subjects had reduced proliferative responses to the mitogens concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin compared with control subjects. Natural killer cell activity was reduced among older depressed subjects but enhanced among younger depressed subjects. Although depression was associated with elevated circulating levels of norepinephrine and estradiol, these hormones could not account for the immunologic differences between depressed and control subjects. Depression was also associated with greater tobacco and caffeine consumption, less physical activity, and poorer sleep quality. Mediational analyses were consistent with physical activity acting as a pathway through which depression was associated with reduced lymphocyte proliferation. Conclusions: Ambulatory patients with mild to moderately severe depression exhibit reduced mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte proliferative responses and altered natural killer cell cytotoxicity. The relationship between depression and proliferative responses may be mediated by physical activity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 39%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathways Linking Major Depression and Immunity in Ambulatory Female Patients

Miller

Cohen

Herbert

1999

Psychosomatic Medicine

124

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“…Several mediators of the inflammatory response, including cytokines and hormones, have been observed to undergo significant diurnal plasma concentration variations [45][46][47][48]. Indeed, a mathematical model validated by experimental data and clinical observations, demonstrates the interplay between inflammation and circadian rhythms [117].…”

Section: Role Of Melatonin In Maintaining and Restoring Human Healthmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…It is an established notion that the nervous and endocrine systems can interact with the immune system in order to modulate its function [46]; indeed, many neurotransmitters, neuroendocrine factors and hormones can alter immune function [47]. Also melatonin is able to modulate immune functions through its neuro-endocrine action.…”

Section: Neuro-endocrine Melatonin: Systemic Effects Of Pineal Melatomentioning

confidence: 99%

Melatonin: A pleiotropic molecule regulating inflammation

Radogna

Diederich

Ghibelli

2010

Biochemical Pharmacology

308

247

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Melatonin is a neurohormone produced by the pineal gland that regulates sleep and circadian functions. Melatonin also regulates inflammatory and immune processes acting as both an activator and inhibitor of these responses. Melatonin demonstrates endocrine, but also paracrine and autocrine effects in the leukocyte compartment: on one side, leukocytes respond to melatonin in a circadian fashion; on the other side, leukocytes are able to synthesize melatonin by themselves.With its endocrine and paracrine effects, melatonin differentially modulates pro-inflammatory enzymes, controls production of inflammatory mediators such as cytokines and leukotrienes and regulates the lifespan of leukocytes by interfering with apoptotic processes. Moreover, its potent anti-oxidant ability allows scavenging of oxidative stress in the inflamed tissues. The interesting timing of pro-and anti-inflammatory effects, such as those affecting lipoxygenase activity, suggests that melatonin might promote early phases of inflammation on one hand and contribute to its attenuation on the other hand, in order to avoid complications of chronic inflammation. This review aims at giving a comprehensive overview of the various inflammatory pathways regulated by this pleiotropic hormone.

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“…Thus, information can flow not only from the CNS to the immune system but also in the opposite direction. It has long been our contention that this complete biochemical information circuit between neurons and immune cells allows the immune system to function as a sensory organ [1,21,61]. A sixth sense, if you will, that completes our ability to be cognizant not only of the universe of things we can see, hear, taste, touch and smell but also the other universe of things we cannot.…”

Section: The Immune System As a Sixth Sensementioning

confidence: 99%

The immune system as the sixth sense

Blalock

2005

Journal of Internal Medicine

194

109

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Abstract. Blalock JE (University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA). The immune system as the sixth sense (Minisymposium). J Intern Med 2005; 257: 126-138.One of the truly remarkable discoveries in modern biology is the finding that the nervous system and immune system use a common chemical language for intra-and inter-system communication. This review will discuss some of the pivotal results that deciphered this chemical language. Specifically the nervous and immune systems produce a common set of peptide and nonpeptide neurotransmitters and cytokines that act on a common repertoire of receptors in the two systems. The paper will also review more recent studies that have delineated hardwired and humoral pathways for such bidirectional communication. This is discussed in the context of the idea that the sharing of ligands and receptors allows the immune system to serve as the sixth sense that notifies the nervous system of the presence of entities, such as viruses and bacteria, that are imperceptible to the classic senses. Lastly, this review will suggest ways to apply the newfound knowledge of the sixth sense to understand a placebo effect and to treate human disease.

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The syntax of immune-neuroendocrine communication

Cited by 673 publications

References 38 publications

Pathways Linking Major Depression and Immunity in Ambulatory Female Patients

Pathways Linking Major Depression and Immunity in Ambulatory Female Patients

Melatonin: A pleiotropic molecule regulating inflammation

The immune system as the sixth sense

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