Endocrine Regulation of T-cell Development and Peripheral T-cell Maturation

Abstract

During the last century a large number of studies have demonstrated that complex interplay exists between the immune and the neuro-endocrine systems. This interplay, via shared cytokines, hormones and their respective receptors and nervous innervations, results in a highly organized integrated surveillance system capable of preserving homeostasis of the body to a large numbers of disturbances. Within this surveillance system the immune system recognizes external (viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites) and internal (tissue damage) threats that might disturb homeostasis while the neuro-endocrine system recognizes internal threats (physical or emotional stress) that might disturb homeostasis. Ultimately, an integrated response of both systems will be initiated against both internal and external threats to preserve homeostasis of the body. As a result of this integration aberrations within the immune system will automatically affect the endocrine system, and vice versa. In addition, abnormalities in the crosstalk between the immune and the neuro-endocrine system might cause diseases. Despite the well-recognized neuro-endocrine-immune integration, more detailed understanding of the various interactions between the immune and the neuro-endocrine system is necessary. This will provide new insights in endocrine and immunological disorders and may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies for both endocrine and immune mediated diseases