Scientists have long known that the brain plays a part in the immune system. Now, researchers have identified cells in the brainstem that sense immune signals from the body’s periphery and act as master regulators of the body’s inflammatory response.
The vagus nerve, a large network of nerve fibres, maintains a delicate balance between the molecular signals that promote inflammation and those that dampen it. Further experiments revealed two distinct groups of neurons in the vagus nerve: one that responds to pro-inflammatory immune molecules and another that responds to anti-inflammatory molecules. These neurons relay their signals to the brain, allowing it to monitor the immune response as it unfolds.
This finding could potentially lead to treatments for autoimmune diseases notably rheumatoid arthritis, but so far, without success.Â
Immune cells possess receptors for various neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and hormones. One major neurotransmitter in the adult brain is the Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Recent studies have demonstrated that GABA plays a parallel inhibitory role in the immune system and implication on RA pathogenesis. We have preliminary data on the impact of GABA treatment and GABA receptor expression on the polarization of RA and healthy donor monocytes/ macrophages, key cells in RA pathogenesis. For more information, please contact Audrey Paoletti : audrey.paoletti@universite-paris-saclay.frÂ
Figure extract from Shan Y, Zhao J, Zheng Y, Guo S, Schrodi SJ, He D.
Understanding the function of the GABAergic system and its potential role in rheumatoid arthritis.
Front Immunol. 2023
