Neuropeptides and the immune system: focus on dendritic cells

Neuropeptides are small, biologically active peptides derived from the central and peripheral nervous system. It is increasingly clear that besides their function as neurotransmitters, these peptides have an influence on almost all body functions including the immune system. Since dendritic cells are the most efficient antigen-presenting cells that stimulate naive T cells, thus promoting adaptive immunity, it is not surprising that interactions between neuropeptides and dendritic cells take place. The current review addresses several aspects of dendritic cell-related neuroimmunology and focuses on the role of neuropeptides as immunomodulators. Moreover, we present a novel concept of neuropeptide-mediated regulation of dendritic cell migration. The importance of chemokines in immunity is generally accepted. It may be that not enough attention has been paid to the possible role of nervous system-derived peptides in regulating immune reactions.