J Anesth Perioper Med. 2014;1(1):44-49. https://doi.org/10.24015/ebcmed.japm.2014.0007
From the 1Department of Anesthesiology and Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; 2Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University of Louisville, and Robley Rex VA Medical Center, Louisville, USA.
Correspondence to Dr. Jerry Yu at j0yu0001@louisville.edu.
EBCMED ID: ebcmed.japm.2014.0007 DOI: 10.24015/ebcmed.japm.2014.0007
Aim of review
This overview describes neuroendocrine immune regulation of inflammation in the lung.
Method
The articles published in past 2 decades in this area were reviewed.
Recent findings
Pulmonary diseases are often associated with inflammation, which is an essential body response to infection and injury. During inflammation, various cells are activated to release inflammatory molecules, modulating disease progression. Inflammation is regulated by the immune system, which interacts with the neuroendocrine system via the autonomic nerves and the hypothalamic- pituitary- adrenal axis. During lung diseases airway sensors are activated to produce host defense responses against inflammation, infection and trauma.
Summary
These neural-mediated responses are immediate and non- specific. They may amplify inflammation via local or axonal reflexes to enhance immune protection or suppress inflammation via the central nervous system to avoid tissue destruction.
Article Type
Review Article
Declaration of Interests
All authors have no financial support and potential conflicts of interest for this work.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by a VA Merit Review Award (PULM-029-10S).
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