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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BHNRC) » Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center » Diet, Genomics and Immunology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #341340
Title: Neuroimmune modulation of gut function

Author
item SHEA-DONOHUE, TEREZ - University Of Maryland
item Urban, Joseph

Submitted to: Neuroimmune Modulation of Gut Function - Gastrointestinal Pharmacology
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/19/2016
Publication Date: 5/19/2016
Citation: Shea-Donohue, Urban Jr, J.F. 2016. Neuroimmune Modulation of Gut Function. Neuroimmune Modulation of Gut Function - Gastrointestinal Pharmacology. 165(5):1120-1133. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2016.04.029.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: There is considerable interest in the mechanisms and pathways involved in the neuro-immune regulation of gut function. The number of cell types and possible interactions is staggering and there are a number of recent reviews detailing various aspects of these interactions, many of which focus on the emerging recognition of the microbiota in maintenance of homeostasis and of dysbiosis in gastrointestinal (GI) pathologies. There are several important factors to consider in any discussion of the neuro-immune regulation of function: 1) the micro-environment in determining the nature and phenotype of the resident and infiltrating immune cells; 2) the effect of acute versus chronic changes in the immune micro-environment how it affects neuro-immune plasticity; and 3) the contribution of acute and chronic dysfunction of neuro-immune interactions to alterations in function associated with GI pathologies. The cross talk between the immune system and the nervous system in the gut has emerged as a key component in the regulation of GI homeostasis as well as in the orchestrated response to infections and inflammatory stimuli. The bidirectional communication between nerves and immune cells has been conserved throughout evolution and is implicated in allostasis, a process that describes the continuous adaptation to an ever-changing environment. There is a growing recognition of the importance of neuro-immune interactions in targeting the development of novel therapies for GI pathologies.