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The neuroimmune-endocrine axis: pathophysiological implications for the central nervous system cytokines and

J Licinio1, P Frost

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatric Institute, School of Medicine, University of California, os Angeles, CA 90095-1761, USA. licinio@ucla.edu

Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research = Revista Brasileira De Pesquisas Medicas E Biologicas
|September 27, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Cytokines, immune signaling molecules, significantly impact brain functions including neuroendocrine regulation and stress response. This review explores how cytokine signaling influences these critical central nervous system processes.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Cellular Signaling

Background:

  • Cytokines were initially identified as immune cell communicators.
  • Cytokines profoundly influence central nervous system functions like behavior, appetite, and fever.
  • Cytokine and receptor genes are expressed in brain vasculature, glia, and neurons.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms of cytokine signaling in the brain.
  • To highlight the role of cytokines in regulating neuroendocrine systems.
  • To examine cytokine effects on stress response pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on cytokine function in the central nervous system.
  • Analysis of cytokine receptor signaling pathways, including JAK/STAT.
  • Focus on cytokine regulation of hypothalamic neuropeptidergic systems.

Main Results:

  • Cytokines modulate key CNS functions including neuroendocrine regulation and behavior.
  • Cytokine receptors signal primarily through the JAK/STAT pathway.
  • Cytokines are critical regulators of hypothalamic neuropeptidergic systems.

Conclusions:

  • Cytokine signaling is integral to central nervous system function.
  • Cytokines play a vital role in maintaining neuroendocrine homeostasis.
  • Understanding cytokine mechanisms is crucial for neuroendocrine and stress response research.

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