Immunity and stress

The relationship between stress and immunity is not a hot topic of psychoneuroimmunology. The review outlines the main aspects of these interrelations; stress sensitive immunological markers, experimental research and studies on humans which underline the prevailing immunosuppressive effects of stress are discussed. A classification of stress-related diseases comprises autoimmune, acute, psychosomatic and neuroendocrine diseases. Besides the hypothalamopituitary-adrenocortical axis and the symparthoadrenal system, newer information points to the role of cytokines, opioids and other mediators in the complex mechanisms involved. Several data from the physiological laboratory in Cluj are included. The final consideration outlines some unclarified aspects and new research directions.