[New post] Neuroimmunology: Crosstalk Between Brain and Immune System
Conference Alerts posted: " Neuroimmunology is the study of crosstalk between the central nervous system and immune system of the body. Although the interaction between nervous and immune systems has been known for many decades, the term 'neuroimmunology' was only coined in 1960"
Neuroimmunology is the study of crosstalk between the central nervous system and immune system of the body.
Although the interaction between nervous and immune systems has been known for many decades, the term 'neuroimmunology' was only coined in 1960s. A special 'neuroimmunology program' has also been established by the National Institute of Mental Health to support research work that studies the effects of immune cells, cytokines, and chemokines on brain development, synaptic plasticity, signal transduction pathways, neuronal circuits, and behaviors.
Unlike other organs of the body, the brain is more susceptible to immune system-mediated damages, as chemicals released by immune cells as a part of the defense mechanism are often very toxic to brain cells. These chemicals can damage the cells of the central nervous system and disrupt neuronal circuits. In addition, inflammation caused by the immune system can also induce damages to brain cells, which are secondary to the original injury or infection.
The blood-brain barrier which restricts, or selectively allows, the entry of substances from bloodstream, plays a crucial role in protecting the brain from unwanted damages caused by the immune system. One classical example in this regard is how B lymphocyte (B cell) exerts its action on the brain. B cells are one type of immune cell that produce and secrete antibodies against foreign invaders (antigens) to selectively destroy them. These cells cannot enter the brain freely because the blood-brain barrier prevents the free-entry of large molecules, including B cells, from bloodstream into the brain. B cells can migrate to the brain only if an immune response is activated in some other parts of the body. In this way, the brain is protected from unnecessary damages.
Another important way is the presence of microglia in the brain. Microglia are a type of glial cell located all over the brain and spinal cord. These cells act as a first line of immune defense in the central nervous system without causing much harm to delicate brain circuits.
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