PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - H. Anisman
AU  - M. G. Baines
AU  - I. Berczi
AU  - C. N. Bernstein
AU  - M. G. Blennerhassett
AU  - R. M. Gorczynski
AU  - A. H. Greenberg
AU  - F. T. Kisil
AU  - R. D. Mathison
AU  - E. Nagy
AU  - D. M. Nance
AU  - M. H. Perdue
AU  - D. K. Pomerantz
AU  - E. R. Sabbadini
AU  - A. Stanisz
AU  - R. J. Warrington
TI  - Neuroimmune mechanisms in health and disease: 1. Health
DP  - 1996 Oct 01
TA  - Canadian Medical Association Journal
PG  - 867--874
VI  - 155
IP  - 7
4099  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/155/7/867.short
4100  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/155/7/867.full
SO  - CMAJ1996 Oct 01; 155
AB  - A novel scientific discipline that examines the complex interdependence of the neural, endocrine and immune systems in health and disease has emerged in recent years. In health, the neuroimmunoregulatory network is fundamental to host defence and to the transfer of immunity to offspring; the network also plays important roles in intestinal physiology and in tissue regeneration, healing and reproduction. The proliferation of lymphocytes in primary lymphoid organs (bone marrow, bursa of Fabricius [in birds] and thymus) and in secondary lymphoid organs (spleen, lymph nodes and mucosal lymphoid tissue) depends on prolactin and growth hormone. These hormones allow immune cells to respond to antigen and to soluble mediators, called cytokines. Immune-derived cytokines are capable of inducing fever and of altering neuro-transmitter activity in the brain and hormone secretion by the pituitary gland. The activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis by cytokines leads to immunosuppression. Lymphoid organs are innervated, and tissue mast cells respond to neurologic stimuli. In general, acetylcholine and substance P exert immunostimulatory and proinflammatory effects, whereas epinephrine and somatostatin are immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory. In this article, the authors predict that novel approaches to immunomodulation will be possible by altering the level or efficacy of immunoregulatory hormones and neurotransmitters.