Tuning inflammation with anti-inflammatory neuropeptides.

Abstract

The immune system is confronted with the daunting task of defending the organism against invading pathogens while at the same time remaining self-tolerant to the body's own constituents and preserving its integrity. The loss of immune tolerance stemming from an unbalance in pro-inflammatory factors versus anti-inflammatory cytokines, or of autoreactive/inflammatory T helper 1 cells versus regulatory/suppressive T cells, results in the breakdown of immune homeostasis and the subsidiary appearance of exacerbated inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Some neuropeptides have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and to participate in maintaining immune tolerance. Here the authors examine the most recent developments in this field and highlight the effectiveness of using neuropeptides in treating several inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.

• Authors: Nieves Varela, Alejo Chorny, Elena Gonzalez-Rey, Mario Delgado
• Journal: Expert opinion on biological therapy (Expert Opin Biol Ther) Vol. 7 Issue 4 Pg. 461-78 (Apr 2007) ISSN: 1744-7682 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 17373898 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Neuropeptides

Topics

• Humans
• Immune Tolerance (drug effects, immunology, physiology)
• Inflammation (drug therapy, immunology, metabolism)
• Neuropeptides (immunology, physiology, therapeutic use)
• T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory (drug effects, immunology, physiology)