Crosstalk between the nociceptive and immune systems in host defence and disease

SB McMahon, FL Russa, DLH Bennett - Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2015 - nature.com
Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2015nature.com
Nociceptors and immune cells both protect the host from potential threats to homeostasis.
There is growing evidence for bidirectional signalling between these two systems, and the
underlying mechanisms are beginning to be elucidated. An understanding is emerging of
how both the adaptive and innate immune systems can activate and sensitize nociceptors,
and, reciprocally, how nociceptors modulate immune cells. In this Review, we discuss how
these interactions can be adaptive and useful to the organism but also consider when such …
Abstract
Nociceptors and immune cells both protect the host from potential threats to homeostasis. There is growing evidence for bidirectional signalling between these two systems, and the underlying mechanisms are beginning to be elucidated. An understanding is emerging of how both the adaptive and innate immune systems can activate and sensitize nociceptors, and, reciprocally, how nociceptors modulate immune cells. In this Review, we discuss how these interactions can be adaptive and useful to the organism but also consider when such signalling might be maladaptive and pathophysiological, contributing to immune-mediated diseases and persistent pain states.
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