The Cholinergic Anti-inflammatory Pathway: A Missing Link in Neuroimmunomodulation
Molecular Medicine2003Vol. 9(5-8), pp. 125–134
Citations Over TimeTop 10% of 2003 papers
Abstract
This review outlines the mechanisms underlying the interaction between the nervous and immune systems of the host in response to an immune challenge. The main focus is the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, which we recently described as a novel function of the efferent vagus nerve. This pathway plays a critical role in controlling the inflammatory response through interaction with peripheral a7 subunit-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors expressed on macrophages. We describe the modulation of systemic and local inflammation by the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway and its function as an interface between the brain and the immune system. The clinical implications of this novel mechanism also are discussed.
Related Papers
- → Blood glucose levels modulate efferent activity in the vagal supply to the rat liver.(1985)48 cited
- → The Synthesis and Storage of Acetylcholine in Mammalian Cholinergic Nerve Terminals(1988)11 cited
- → Source of acetylcholine in the Frog’s heart on stimulation of the vagus nerve(1960)3 cited
- → The Non-Catalytic Role and Complex Management of Acetylcholinesterase in the Mammalian Brain Call for RNA-Based Therapies(1998)1 cited
- [Evaluation of the state of the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system by cholinergic blood activity].(1979)