Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
[116,117]
. Increased blood levels of glucocorticoids and catecholamines in stress
shift the Th1/Th2 balance toward Th2, that is, to increased synthesis and release of
anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, -5, -10, -13) responsible for humoral immune
reactions and for immunoglobulin (natural antibody) production
[117-119]
. The
intensity of IL-1 signal transduction via the sphingomyelin pathway in cells of the
nervous and immune system changes with stress, and may be one of the main mecha-
nisms of the development of stress-induced alterations in immunity
[87,97]
.
Along with glucocorticoids and catecholamines, prolactin is regarded as an indis-
pensable component of stress response
[120]
. It may function as a stress-limiting fac-
tor that prevents stress-induced immunosuppression
[121]
. The kinase Stat-5, which
is activated by prolactin as one of the components of its signal transduction system,
interacts with the glucocorticoid-receptor complexes in the cytosol and thereby pre-
vents their binding to specific DNA sites implicated in realization of the immunosup-
pressive effects of glucocorticoids on lymphocyte functions
[122]
.
Integration of the effects of prolactin, glucocorticoids, and IL-1 occurs at the level
of ligand-receptor interactions in immunocompetent cells and is one of the mecha-
nisms that prevent the development of dysfunctions of the immune system in stress
[123,124]
.
Sustained or severe stress suppresses the adaptive immune system, although natu-
ral immune mechanisms are augmented at the same time. Short episodes of stress
augment peripheral adaptive immune defenses
[100,125]
.
2.5.8 Behavioral Immunophysiology
It has been known for a long time that sick animals and human beings do not eat,
restrict their movements, and sleep a lot. Recent research has revealed that cytokines
are responsible for the development of this behavior. Dancer and co-workers made
significant contributions to this field
[126]
.
2.6 Historical Note to Figures: Initial Events
in the Organization of Research Activities in
Immunophysiology
The first meeting of the then relatively sparse numbers of researchers tackling the
problem of interactions of the immune and nervous systems occurred at a sym-
posium held in 1982 at the Research Institute of Experimental Medicine (IEM),
Soviet Academy of Medical Science, in Leningrad. At the invitation of IEM
and the chairperson, E.A. Korneva, the symposium was attended by R. Ader,
H. Besedovsky, V. Pierpaoli, I. Solomon, H. Spector, and B. Yankovich, to name a
few. This was the seminal event resulting in the ideas to hold the First International
Congress and to organize an international society. The First International Congress
of Neuroimmunomodulation was held in Dubrovnik under the presidency of
