Regulation of immune tolerance by anti-inflammatory neuropeptides

Nat Rev Immunol. 2007 Jan;7(1):52-63. doi: 10.1038/nri1984.

Abstract

The induction of antigen-specific tolerance is essential to maintain immune homeostasis, control autoreactive T cells, prevent the onset of autoimmune diseases and achieve tolerance of transplants. Inflammation is a necessary process for eliminating pathogens, but can lead to serious deleterious effects in the host if left unchecked. Identifying the endogenous factors that control immune tolerance and inflammation is a key goal in the field of immunology. In the last decade, various neuropeptides that are produced by immune cells with potent anti-inflammatory actions were found to participate in the maintenance of tolerance in different immunological disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmunity*
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance*
  • Inflammation / immunology*
  • Models, Immunological*
  • Neuropeptides / immunology*
  • Signal Transduction / immunology*

Substances

  • Neuropeptides