Peripheral neuroimmune interactions: selected review and some clinical implications

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Pathophysiology

Background:

• The neural and immune systems exhibit close interactions.
• Neuroimmune units form at anatomical sites where neural and immune cells converge.
• These interactions are bidirectional, involving a complex molecular crosstalk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review peripheral neuroimmune interactions.
• To explore their implications in clinical disorders.

Main Methods:

• Narrative literature review.
• Searched PubMed and MEDLINE for English-language articles (1985-2021).

Main Results:

• Peripheral neuroimmune interactions are mediated by neuropeptides, neurotransmitters, and cytokines.
• Sensory afferents and immune cells respond to each other's signals.
• Glial cells play a crucial role in neuroimmune communication both centrally and peripherally.

Conclusions:

• Peripheral neuroimmune interactions are integral to the pathophysiology of inflammatory disorders.
• These interactions contribute to pain and altered barrier function in conditions like skin, respiratory, and intestinal diseases.
• They may explain persistent symptoms in disorders with significant immune activation.