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Plasticity of Neuroendocrine-Immune Interactions During Aging

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Advances in Psychoneuroimmunology

Part of the book series: Hans Selye Symposia on Neuroendocrinology and Stress ((HSSN,volume 3))

Abstract

A good body of experimental evidences now supports the existence of numerous interactions among the nervous, endocrine and immune systems. Communication between these networks is mediated by humoral mediators, such as hormones, neurotransmitters and immune-derived cytokines, which are to a large extent shared by the different homeostatic systems. Common to nervous, neuroendocrine and immune cells are also the receptor sites sensitive to such signals. Hormones and neurotransmitters, in addition to regulating various target tissues in the body, reach also lymphoid organs and cells through blood circulation or through direct autonomic-nervous-system (ANS) connections between the nervous tissue and the organs of the lymphoid system itself (for review see1,2). The neuro-endocrine-immune interactions supported by circulating humoral mediators are mainly due to and mediated by the hypothalamus-pituitary axis; this may influence the immune system either releasing by various hormones and neuropeptides into the blood with direct modulatory action on the immune effectors, or regulating the hormonal secretion of peripheral endocrine glands, which also exert an immuno-modulating action.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Immunology Center, Gerontological Research Department, Italian Natl. Res. Ctrs. on Aging (INRCA), Ancona, Italy

    N. Fabris, E. Mocchegiani & M. Provinciali

  2. Inst. of Haematology, Medical Faculty, University of Pavia, Italy

    N. Fabris

Authors
  1. N. Fabris
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  2. E. Mocchegiani
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  3. M. Provinciali
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Immunology, The University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

    Istvan Berczi

  2. National Institute of Haematology, Blood Transfusion and Immunology, Budapest, Hungary

    Judith Szélenyi

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© 1994 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Fabris, N., Mocchegiani, E., Provinciali, M. (1994). Plasticity of Neuroendocrine-Immune Interactions During Aging. In: Berczi, I., Szélenyi, J. (eds) Advances in Psychoneuroimmunology. Hans Selye Symposia on Neuroendocrinology and Stress, vol 3. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9104-4_29

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9104-4_29

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-9106-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-9104-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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