Brain cells are crucial for the body’s immune system, yet how they work has been unclear. Recently, scientists made a major discovery. They found a specific group of neurons in the brainstem. These neurons control the body’s inflammatory response.
The study appeared in the journal Nature on May 1, 2024. It reveals how the brain keeps a careful balance. It promotes and dampens inflammation. This could have significant implications for treating autoimmune diseases and other conditions caused by an excessive immune response.
Neuroimmunologist Hao Jin led the study. His team was from the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. They found that after sensing an intruder, such as bacteria, the immune system triggers an inflammatory response. This response needs to be managed carefully. If it is too weak, the body risks infection. If it is too strong, it can damage its own tissues and organs.
Previous research has shown that the vagus nerve, which connects the body with the brain, influences immune responses. Until now, we did not know which specific brain cells were activated by immune stimuli.
The study shows that there is a whole layer of biology that we haven’t even anticipated, says Ruslan Medzhitov from Yale University.
Experiments on Mice
To investigate further, Jin’s team monitored brain cell activity after injecting mice with bacterial compounds that trigger inflammation. They identified neurons in the brainstem that responded to these triggers and found that activating them with a drug reduced levels of inflammatory molecules in the mice’s blood.
On the other hand, silencing these neurons led to an uncontrolled immune response with a 300% increase in inflammatory molecules compared to mice with functional brainstem neurons. These nerve cells act as a rheostat in the brain, regulating the body’s inflammatory response.
This discovery is like a black-swan event. It was unexpected but makes perfect sense now that it has been revealed. It opens up a whole new area of research and could potentially lead to new treatments for diseases related to inflammation.
The systems in our body are closely linked. The brain has a key role in controlling these systems. This study offers important information about the immune system. It also shows the need for ongoing research in neuroscience.
Reference: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-01259-2
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