Autonomic Neuroimmunology PDF

Preface

Many seminal observations have established the evolution and ontogenetic development of anatomic connections between elements of the nervous system and cells of adaptive immunity. On this morphologic foundation, diverse findings of early functional studies documented the capacity of neuromediators to evoke and control immune responses, and of immune cytokines to alter neural activities. Contributions in the present volume describe in rich scientific detail our current understanding of these vital neuroimmunological interactions and their implications for normal physiology and disease states.

The immune system sends messages to neurons and glia other neural cells in many forms, including histamine and proteinases from mast cells, eicosanoids from macrophages and mast cells, and an array of cytokines from macrophages and T cells. The chapters by Drs Befus, Bunnett, Pothoulakis, Theoharides, and Undem and Weinreich describe the many aspects of neural development and function which are influenced by immune factors.

Neuroendocrine factors, encompassing hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis with systemic activities and various neuropeptides with principally compartmental functions, are major stimuli or inhibitors of immune cell mobilization and activation. Neuropeptide activation of mast cells was one of the first observations in the field and the section by Drs Blennerhassett and Bienenstock documents the cell biological mechanisms for these events. That one or more adrenergic and peptidergic messengers modulate immunity is analyzed by Drs Cooke, Felten and Nance, whereas Dr. Tracey elucidates the pathways by which cholinergic factors may suppress immunological inflammation. Prime examples of how a single neuropeptide may regulate the nature and intensity of T cell and B cell involvement in compartmental immune responses with a high degree of specificity are provided by Drs Goetzl, McGillis and Weinstock. Their findings are supported not only by comprehensive biochemical and pharmacological data, but also by genetic manipulations of expression of neuropeptides and neuropeptide receptors in dedicated lines of mice with clear neuroimmunological phenotypes. Potential implications of organ systemselective neuroimmunology for host defense and diseases are elegantly elucidated by Dr Luger for the skin, Drs Perdue and Pothoulakis for the intestines, Dr Theoharides for the bladder, and Drs Renz, and Undem and Weinreich for the lungs.

The clear message of the volume is that modern neuroimmunology is firmly established as a scientific discipline, an avenue for approaching distinctive mechanisms of mammalian biology, and a pathway to novel diagnostic techniques and therapies for diseases of the neural, endocrine and immune systems.