Neuro-immune interactions via the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway

LIFE SCIENCES

卷:80

Article; Proceedings Paper

Gallowitsch-Puerta, Margot ; Pavlov, Valentin A.

关键词: cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway;    vagus nerve;    TNF;    inflammation;    acetylcholine;    alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor;    muscarinic acetylcholine receptors;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.lfs.2007.01.002

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

The overproduction of TNF and other cytokines is associated with the pathophysiology of numerous diseases. Controlling cytokine synthesis and release is critical for preventing unrestrained inflammation and maintaining health. Recent studies identified an efferent vagus nerve-based mechanism termed '' the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway '' that controls cytokine production and inflammation. Here we review current advances related to the role of this pathway in neuro-immune interactions that prevent excessive inflammation. Experimental evidence indicates that vagus nerve cholinergic anti-inflammatory signaling requires alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors expressed on non-neuronal cytokine-producing cells. Alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists inhibit cytokine release and protect animals in a variety of experimental lethal inflammatory models. Knowledge related to the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway can be exploited in therapeutic approaches directed towards counteracting abnormal chronic and hyper-activated inflammatory responses. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

【 授权许可】

Free