What is Neuroimmunology?
Neuroimmunology is the study to understand the interactions between two complex systems, the nervous and immune system. The field was coined in the 1970’s and arose from the realization that individual systems are not responsible for whole-body output; it is the complex interaction between several systems that make up complex behaviors. The biggest realization: the brain is not immune privileged; it is in fact the center of many immunological processes that control behaviors.
The field stems from a broader field termed, “PsychoNeuroimmunology or PyschoNeuroEndocrinology,” which takes Psychology and Endocrinology into consideration.
Components of the immune system contribute to acute pain states (inflammatory) and the transition to chronic and chronic pain states. Moreover, in the last 15 years neuroimmunology has become a central tenet in understanding pain neuroscience and the development of therapeutic targets.
Interestingly, it appears as if the basis of some pain states as well as basic sex differences have some basis in how the nervous and immune systems are activated and talk to one another. Recent studies implicate the cross-talk with the immune and nervous system is bi-directional.
In the context of pain, activation of immune cells via surgery or bacterial/viral stimulus is able to mediate pain states. Long-term consequences are now being realized and the complex nature of the interactions of the systems lends to the idea that individualized medicine is the future of treating people.
Margarita Calvo, John M Dawes, David L H Bennett
Types of Immune Cells
Innate:
- Macrophage (Monocyte vs Tissue)
- Mast cell
- Dendritic cell
- Neutrophils
- Microglia
Adaptive:
- T cell
- B cell
- NK cell
Common Effects on Pain
Pro-inflammatory mediators
- Cytokines: IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha
- Chemokines: CCL2, CCL1, CX3CL1, CCL5, CCL3
- Prostaglandins: PGE2
- Interferons: type 1 – alpha/beta; type 2 – gamma
- Neuropeptides: CGRP, NGF, Bradykinin, 5-HT, ATP, H+
Our Recent Discoveries
Sex-Dependent Role of Microglia
This study “highlights the importance of mapping sex dimorphisms in pain mechanisms and point to processes potentially involved in the spinal antinociceptive effect of microglial inhibition in male mice.”
Researchers Examine How COVID-19 Virus May Increase Lung Inflammation
Neuroimmune Response Could Be Cause of Rapid Deterioration
Isolation, Culture and Downstream Characterization of Primary Microglia
Here we show a novel, single protocol to isolate microglia and astrocytes from brain and spinal cord tissue, allowing for culturing and other downstream applications from the cells of animals of various ages.
eIF4E Phosphorylation Modulates Pain in the Aged
Here we demonstrate that eIF4E phosphorylation can be a key target for treating inflammatory pain in the aged.
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Sulfolipid-1 Activates Nociceptive Neurons and Induces Cough
In this paper we demonstrate a heretofore unknown molecular mechanism for cough induction by a virulent human pathogen via its production of a complex lipid.