Mind over immunity.

K J Tracey; C J Czura; S Ivanova

doi:10.1096/fj.01-0148hyp

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PubMed · 11427490

Mind over immunity.

K J Tracey·C J Czura·S Ivanova

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Abstract

The central nervous system regulates the innate immune system by elaborating anti-inflammatory hormone cascades in response to bacterial products and immune mediators. We recently discovered that the central nervous system also responds via acetylcholine-mediated efferent signals carried through the vagus nerve. Nicotinic cholinergic receptors expressed on macrophages detect these signals and respond with a dampened cytokine response. Vagus nerve stimulators can mimic this response and can prevent lethal endotoxemia. This newly appreciated cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway provides a neural substrate to study brain-immune interactions and might be harnessed for therapy of cytokine-mediated disease.

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Acetylcholine Humans Macrophages Psychophysiology Receptors, Nicotinic Signal Transduction Vagus Nerve Journal Article Review

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K J Tracey, C J Czura, S Ivanova. 2001. Mind over immunity.. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.01-0148hyp

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