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Neuroendocrine Involvement in Immune-Mediated Rheumatic Diseases

  • Maurizio CutoloEmail author
  • Amelia Chiara Trombetta
Living reference work entry
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Part of the Endocrinology book series (ENDOCR)

Abstract

In the present chapter, the evidences showing how neuro-endocrine-immune network integrates human organism functions in healthy and disease status will be summarized. Central and peripheral nervous systems in fact were demonstrated to present receptors for immune system products, like pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. At the same time, immune system cells and peripheral tissues show receptors and are able produce and catabolize neurotransmitters and hormones. Consequently, in the main immune-mediated rheumatic diseases, several alterations of the interactions between nervous, endocrine, and immune systems have been described. At the same time, disease-modifying and biologic drugs have shown in several cases to determine the restoration of hormonal and nervous system activity while performing their main immune-modulating effect.

Keywords

Neuroendocrine immunology Rheumatoid arthritis Systemic lupus erytrhematosus Sjogren syndrome Polymialgia rheumatica Glucocorticoids Gender Sexual hormones 
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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Research Laboratory and Clinical Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal MedicineUniversity of Genova, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic HospitalGenovaItaly

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