Oxytocin-secreting system: A major part of the neuroendocrine center regulating immunologic activity

Abstract Interactions between the nervous system and immune system have been studied extensively. However, the mechanisms underlying the neural regulation of immune activity, particularly the neuroendocrine regulation of immunologic functions, remain elusive. In this review, we provide a comprehensi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of neuroimmunology 2015-12, Vol.289, p.152-161
Main Authors: Wang, Ping, Yang, Hai-Peng, Tian, Shujun, Wang, Liwei, Wang, Stephani C, Zhang, Fengmin, Wang, Yu-Feng
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Allergy and Immunology
Animals
Behavior
Brain - metabolism
Cytokine
Hormone
Humans
Hypothalamus
Immune System - physiology
Neuroendocrinoimmunology
Neurology
Neurosecretory Systems - immunology
Neurosecretory Systems - metabolism
Oxytocin
Oxytocin - metabolism
Paraventricular nucleus
Supraoptic nucleus
Thymus
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Summary:Abstract Interactions between the nervous system and immune system have been studied extensively. However, the mechanisms underlying the neural regulation of immune activity, particularly the neuroendocrine regulation of immunologic functions, remain elusive. In this review, we provide a comprehensive examination of current evidence on interactions between the immune system and hypothalamic oxytocin-secreting system. We highlight the fact that oxytocin may have significant effects in the body, beyond its classical functions in lactation and parturition. Similar to the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis, the oxytocin-secreting system closely interacts with classical immune system, integrating both neurochemical and immunologic signals in the central nervous system and in turn affects immunologic defense, homeostasis, and surveillance. Lastly, this review explores therapeutic potentials of oxytocin in treating immunologic disorders.
ISSN:0165-5728
1872-8421
DOI:10.1016/j.jneuroim.2015.11.001