1. Neuronal Regulation of Immunity in the Skin and Lungs
- Author
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Isaac M. Chiu, Xin Ru Jiang, and Kimbria J. Blake
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,Nervous system ,Neuroimmunomodulation ,Neuropeptide ,Inflammation ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Immune system ,Immunity ,medicine ,Animals ,Humans ,Lung ,Skin ,business.industry ,General Neuroscience ,Atopic dermatitis ,medicine.disease ,030104 developmental biology ,Neuroimmunology ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Immunology ,medicine.symptom ,business ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery ,Homeostasis - Abstract
The nervous and immune systems are classically studied as two separate entities. However, their interactions are crucial for maintaining barrier functions at tissues constantly exposed to the external environment. We focus here on the role of neuronal signaling in regulating the immune system at two major barriers: the skin and respiratory tract. Barrier tissues are heavily innervated by sensory and autonomic nerves, and are densely populated by resident immune cells, allowing rapid, coordinated responses to noxious stimuli, as well as to bacterial and fungal pathogens. Neural release of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides allows fast communication with immune cells and their recruitment. In addition to maintaining homeostasis and fighting infections, neuroimmune interactions are also implicated in several chronic inflammatory conditions such as atopic dermatitis (AD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma.
- Published
- 2019