Breaking or making immunological privilege in the central nervous system: the regulation of immunity by neuropeptides.

Journal Article (Review;Journal Article)

Immune privilege in the central nervous system (CNS) is not maintained by immune ignorance of the CNS, but by CNS control over inflammatory processes. In this review we examine the role neuropeptides play in maintenance of immune privilege in the CNS. Vasoactive intestinal peptide, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating-hormone, neuropeptide Y, and somatostatin are members of an anti-inflammatory repertoire of immune modulators, while substance P acts to break immune privilege and promote inflammation in the CNS. Here we focus both on cellular responses to these neuropeptides and the role these peptides play in immune privilege as it relates to CNS autoimmunity.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Reinke, E; Fabry, Z

Published Date

  • April 2006

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 104 / 1-2

Start / End Page

  • 102 - 109

PubMed ID

  • 16375975

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1879-0542

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0165-2478

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.imlet.2005.11.009

Language

  • eng