Identification of specific pathways of communication between the CNS and NK cell system

The specific signals and pathways utilized by the natural killer (NK) cell system and the central nervous system (CNS) that results in the conditioned response (CR) is not clearly understood. Single trial conditioning of the NK cell activity provides us with a model to probe the mechanisms of communication between two major systems (Immune and CNS) which are involved in the health and disease of the individual. The studies show that the IFN-beta molecules possess the properties attributed to the unconditioned stimulus (US). IFN-beta can penetrate the CNS and evoke the elevation of NK cell activity in the spleen. This unconditioned response (UR) can be linked to a specific conditioned stimulus (CS). Specific odors such as camphor provide a neural pathway for the CS to associate with the US. Evidence is presented that in conditioning there are two locations where memory develops. The CS/US association is made centrally and its memory is stored at a central location, but the memory for the specificity of the odor is presumably stored in the olfactory bulbs. The CS recalls the CR by triggering the olfactory neural pathway which, in turn, signals the hypothalamic-pituitary axis to release mediators that modulate the activity of NK cells in the spleen. These results imply that through conditioning one has direct input into the regulatory hypothalamus that controls the internal environment of the organism and the health and disease of the individual. Consequently, it is not inconceivable that through this approach we might be able to alter the course of a disease process.