Abstract
Perhaps the most interesting recent observation concerning interactions between the immune and neuroendocrine systems is the finding that such communication is bidirectional. That is, while it is generally accepted that the neuroendocrine system can regulate immunologic functions, it is only now becoming apparent that the immune system can regulate neuroendocrine functions. In the latter instance, the best studied system seems to be immunologic activation of the pituitary adrenal axis. Initial data supporting such activation was the observation of an elevation of circulating glucocorticoid hormones which coincided with peak antibody titers during an immune response.1 Subsequently, this effect was in part attributed to a factor(s) of unknown composition which was derived from activated leukocytes.2 We now know that there are a number of well defined immunologically-derived molecules which are involved in a lymphoid pituitary adrenal axis and can account for the earlier observations. These molecules include lymphokines and monokines as well as leukocyte-derived neuroendocrine peptide hormones. This article will review the various pathways by which the immune system can activate the pituitary adrenal axis.
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Blalock, J.E. (1988). Immunologically-Mediated Pituitary-Adrenal Activation. In: Chrousos, G.P., Loriaux, D.L., Gold, P.W. (eds) Mechanisms of Physical and Emotional Stress. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 245. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2064-5_17
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2064-5_17
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