学術データベース

Lymphocytes and adrenergic sympathetic nerve system: the role of cytokines

著者名

(KANNAN-HAYASHI Yukiko)

共著者名

M. Moriyama, Y. Nakamura.

出版社／掲載誌名

Cytokines and the Brain：NeuroImmune Biology (ELSEVIER SCIENCE (UK))

巻号

Vol.6

頁

pp.307-336

出版日

2008/7

概要

Growing evidence indicates that the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is closely linked to the immune system. Primary and secondary lymphoid organs receive extensive sympathetic noradrenergic innervation. Under stimulation, norepinephrine (NE) released from the sympathetic nerve terminals in these organs, or circulating catecholamines (CAs) such as epinephrine, affects lymphocyte circulation, proliferation, and cytokine and antibody production through adrenergic receptors (ARs) expressed on lymphocytes and other immune cells. Although the mechanisms of adrenergic regulation of immune cells are very complicated, NE and epinephrine appear to promote humoral immunity rather than cellular immunity by suppressing the helper T (Th)1 response and upregulating T cell-dependent antibody production, through stimulation of the b2-AR-cyclic AMP (cAMP)-protein kinase (PK) A pathway. The SNS also strongly affects natural killer (NK) cell function, especially during stress. The immune system influences SNS activity by cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), which travel to the brain and stimulate the hypothalamic or other regional neurons regulating the sympathetic outflow. IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-6, IL-12, and granulocyte?macrophage colonystimulating factor (GM-CSF) can stimulate the sympathetic neurite outgrowth, with or without the mediation of nerve growth factor (NGF) production. Lymphocytes are not only regulated by NE from the sympathetic nerve terminals, but also synthesize NE and other CAs, and the lymphocyte-derived CAs may regulate themselves in an auto- and paracrine way.