The influence of neuroendocrine pathways on lymphocyte migration

The immunological work that leads to the production of effector cells, immunoglobulins and cytokines in intact animals results from the coordinated interaction of clusters of specialized lymphocytes. These lymphoid clusters function in microenvironments within which they may be exposed to neural and endocrine signals, and the ability of such signals to modulate the local output of immune labor is now well recognized. Here, Clifford Ottaway and Alan Husband review evidence suggesting that the output of neuroendocrine pathways has a modulatory effect on the migratory behavior of lymphocytes in vivo. This can lead to rapid changes in the specific phenotypes of lymphocytes accumulating in tissues and organs undergoing immune challenge.