Adrenergic control of lymphocyte trafficking and adaptive immune responses. (November 2019) - Nakai, Akiko
Abstract: Since the beginning of the last century, substantial evidence has suggested that various aspects of the immune system are influenced by the activity of the nervous system. However, the cellular and molecular basis for the neural control of immune responses has emerged only in the past decade. Recent studies have shown that adrenergic nerves control trafficking of immune cells through cell-type-specific mechanisms. Activation of the β2 -adrenergic receptor expressed on lymphocytes enhances signals mediated by a particular set of chemokine receptors, and consequently inhibits their exit from lymph nodes. This mechanism is involved in the diurnal variation of adaptive immune responses and the progression of inflammatory diseases. In the present review, we focus on the role of adrenergic nerves in the control of lymphocyte trafficking and adaptive immune responses in physiological and pathological conditions. Highlights: Inputs from adrenergic nerves inhibit lymphocyte egress from LNs through β2 AR. β2 AR-mediated signals enhance the responsiveness of specific chemokine receptors. Adrenergic inputs contribute to the diurnal variation of lymphocyte trafficking. Activation of β2 AR suppresses T cell-mediated inflammation.